Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun terrorist_attack

1 sense of terrorist attack

Sense 1
terrorist attack -- (a surprise attack involving the deliberate use of violence against civilians in the hope of attaining political or religious aims)
       => surprise attack, coup de main -- (an attack without warning)
       => terrorism, act of 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)