Terrorism Meaning
Terrorism Definition & Usage
The unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.
Examples
- "The government has vowed to eradicate terrorism from its borders."
- "Many countries have strengthened their security measures to combat terrorism."
- "International terrorism continues to threaten global stability."
- "The rise in cyberterrorism presents new challenges to national security."
- "The attacks were an act of terrorism designed to instill fear and disrupt society."
Cultural Context
Terrorism has been a persistent global issue for centuries, with notable events such as the 9/11 attacks in 2001 dramatically shifting the world's approach to security and counterterrorism measures. The term 'terrorism' is politically charged and can be used in various contexts to describe acts that are intended to cause fear or force political change through violence or intimidation.
The Edge of Fear
Story
The Edge of Fear
It was a cold morning when the city's skyline was suddenly overshadowed by a massive explosion that rocked the streets below. Sarah stood in her office, staring out the window as the sound of shattering glass and distant screams reached her ears. Her phone buzzed with news alerts — the city was under attack. Terrorism, it seemed, had arrived on their doorstep. Across town, Ahmed, a counterterrorism officer, was rushing toward the epicenter of the blast. He'd been trained for this — bombings, mass casualties, panic — but nothing had prepared him for the sheer scale of the devastation. As he and his team worked to rescue civilians, the word ‘terrorism’ weighed heavily on his mind. It wasn’t just a crime; it was an act of war, designed to inflict fear on an entire population. Back in the command center, intelligence officers scrambled to piece together the attack. Was it an isolated act, or part of a broader agenda? Was it meant to destabilize the region, to send a message? The threat of terrorism hung over them, but it was also a reminder of the lengths to which some would go to challenge authority. As Sarah processed the chaos unfolding below, she felt an unfamiliar sense of fear—not just for her life, but for the world she thought she knew. 'We need to know what we're dealing with,' Ahmed said, his voice calm despite the chaos. 'This isn’t just about the attack. It’s about sending a message.' Sarah nodded, understanding. The message was clear: terrorism wasn’t just about the violence—it was about making everyone feel vulnerable. And now, the entire city was living in that fear. As the hours passed and the dust settled, the extent of the carnage became clear. But for Sarah and Ahmed, the true horror of terrorism wasn’t in the bodies or the debris—it was in the way it altered their reality, leaving them to question the safety of their own homes and the stability of the world they lived in.