terrorist attack

/ˌtɛrərəst əˌtæk/

/ˈtɛrərɪst əˈtæk/

Other forms: terrorist attacks

Definitions of terrorist attack

1. noun

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

   September 11

   the day in 2001 when Arab suicide bombers hijacked United States airliners and used them as bombs

   type 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