TERRORIST ATTACK

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does terrorist attack mean? 

• TERRORIST ATTACK (noun)
  The noun TERRORIST ATTACK has 1 sense:

1. a surprise attack involving the deliberate use of violence against civilians in the hope of attaining political or religious aims

  Familiarity information: TERRORIST ATTACK used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• TERRORIST ATTACK (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A surprise attack involving the deliberate use of violence against civilians in the hope of attaining political or religious aims

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("terrorist attack" is a kind of...):

act of terrorism; terrorism; terrorist act (the calculated use of violence (or the threat of violence) against civilians in order to attain goals that are political or religious or ideological in nature; this is done through intimidation or coercion or instilling fear)

coup de main; surprise attack (an attack without warning)

Instance hyponyms:

9-11; 9/11; Sep 11; Sept. 11; September 11 (the day in 2001 when Arab suicide bombers hijacked United States airliners and used them as bombs)

 Context examples 

They could also be planned, as in the case of a terrorist attack with a chemical weapon.

(Chemical Emergencies, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)