terrorist

Everyday

A terrorist is a person who uses violence or threats against ordinary people, often by bombing or attacking, to frighten people and force a government or society to do what they want, usually for political or religious aims. tree →

In the lessons

Citizenship and news: terrorism is a serious crime in every country; police and security services work to stop it. History: terrorist attacks such as 11 September 2001 in the USA changed airport security. Safety (UK «Run, Hide, Tell»): if something dangerous happens, run away if you can, hide if you cannot, and tell the police (999 in the UK, 911 in the USA and Canada, 000 in Australia, 111 in NZ, 112 or 999 in Ireland). If news scares you, talk to a grown-up. Different sides sometimes call the same group terrorists or freedom fighters, so the news may say who calls them that.

Examples

• The police arrested a terrorist before he could attack. tree →
• A terrorist attack hurts innocent people. tree →
• Airport checks help stop terrorists. tree →
• The news said the group was listed as terrorist by several countries. tree →
• Terrorists want people to feel afraid. tree →
• Remember: run, hide, tell. tree →
• If the news about terrorists worries you, talk to an adult. tree →

Note

Countable. Related: terror (great fear), terrorism (the crime), terrorise/terrorize (to frighten badly — in everyday talk a bully can «terrorise» a playground, which is not terrorism). Not every attacker is a terrorist; the word means violence used to scare people for a political or religious aim.