jihadist
UK: dʒɪˈhɑːdɪst | US: dʒɪˈhɑːdɪst
n. a person who advocates or participates in jihad, especially as an armed struggle for Islam
n. (derogatory) an extremist or militant Islamic fighter
The word "jihadist" combines "jihad," an Arabic term meaning "struggle" or "holy effort," with the English suffix "-ist," denoting a practitioner or adherent. "Jihad" originally referred to spiritual or moral striving in Islam, but in modern contexts, it is often associated with armed conflict. The suffix "-ist" (from Latin -ista and Greek -istes) generalizes the term to label individuals engaged in such struggles, particularly in militant or political contexts. The word gained prominence in late 20th-century geopolitical discourse.
The government condemned the jihadist group for its violent attacks.
He was radicalized and became a jihadist after joining the online propaganda network.
Analysts debate whether jihadist ideologies are driven more by politics than religion.
The documentary explored the recruitment tactics of jihadist organizations.
Counterterrorism units focus on disrupting jihadist networks globally.