What does terroristic mean?
Terroristic is an adjective meaning relating to terrorism, especially violence or threats intended to intimidate people and advance a political objective. It is most often used for attacks, threats, propaganda, or other activity associated with terrorism, as in terroristic attack and terroristic threat. The word carries a strongly condemnatory connotation and is especially common in formal legal, political, journalistic, and security contexts. It should be distinguished from terrorist, which usually names a person or organization involved in terrorism, although that word can also be used attributively. Terroristic can sometimes describe rhetoric or intimidation more broadly, particularly when such conduct resembles terrorism, but its central meaning remains connected to organized or politically motivated violence. Although comparatively uncommon in ordinary conversation, the term is useful because it can identify the character of an act without necessarily identifying the individual responsible for it.
adjectiveRelating to or characteristic of terrorism, especially acts or threats intended to intimidate or coerce through violence.
- Relating to or characteristic of terrorism, especially acts or threats intended to intimidate or coerce through violence.
"The government described the bombing as a terroristic attack designed to destabilize the region."
"Police were investigating a terroristic threat reported by an anonymous caller."
"Her terroristic rhetoric frightened the witnesses into refusing to testify."
Terroristic often describes the threat or attack itself, while terrorist usually identifies the person or group behind it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does terroristic come from?
Terroristic was formed in English from terror plus the suffix -istic. Terror entered English through Old French from Latin terror, meaning fright or extreme fear, and ultimately derives from Latin terrere, to frighten. The same Latin root underlies English words such as terrify, terrorize, and terrorist.
Related word forms
How terroristic is actually used
This is a formal and strongly condemnatory term, especially common in legal, political, journalistic, and security contexts. It is most natural before a noun such as attack, threat, or activity, and is less often used predicatively.
Easily confused with terroristic
Terroristic is normally an adjective describing terrorism or related acts, whereas terrorist usually functions as a noun naming a person or group involved in terrorism.
Terroristic means relating to terrorism, while terrific means excellent, impressive, or very great and is sometimes mistakenly substituted for the similarly spelled word.