noun
terrorism
TAIR-uh-riz-um/ˈterərɪzəm/
Politically or ideologically motivated violence intended to intimidate civilians or governments.
The armed extremist uses terrorism to intimidate civilians.
Etymology
Terrorism turns terror into a systematic practice: fear used as policy rather than merely experienced. The word first described government intimidation during the French Revolution, then broadened to systematic intimidation for political purposes.
In context
Terrorism is the use of violence in order to stampede a society into going into a preferred political direction. That's what it is.
More examples
- The attack was investigated as an act of terrorism.
- Communities demanded protection from terrorism.
- The course studied how terrorism uses fear for political ends.
Forms
terrorism
terrorist noun — a person who uses politically motivated terror
Similar words
- insurgency
- An armed rebellion that may or may not use terrorist methods.
- intimidation
- A broader use of fear that need not involve political violence.