terrorist attack
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terrorist attack
A violent attack carried out for political, religious, or ideological motives in order to spread fear and terror among the population.
Bei dem Terroranschlag in der Hauptstadt gab es viele Verletzte.
There were many injuries in the terrorist attack in the capital.
The word is made up of 'Terror' (terror) and 'Anschlag' (attack). 'Anschlag' comes from the verb 'anschlagen' and here means 'attack'.
Die Regierung verurteilte den Terroranschlag aufs Schärfste.
The government condemned the terrorist attack in the strongest possible terms.
In connection with 'Terroranschlag' (terrorist attack), the verbs 'verüben' (to commit/carry out), 'planen' (to plan), or 'verhindern' (to prevent) are often used.
Die Polizei konnte einen geplanten Terroranschlag verhindern.
The police were able to prevent a planned terrorist attack.
To name the location or target of an attack, you usually use the prepositions 'in' for places and buildings, or 'auf' for people, institutions, and open squares.
Es war ein Terroranschlag auf einen bekannten Politiker.
It was a terrorist attack on a well-known politician.
attack
'der Angriff' and 'der Terroranschlag' can both mean a violent action against people or places. 'Angriff' is the more general word and does not say anything about the motive. A 'Terroranschlag' is a specific kind of attack: it has political, religious, or ideological reasons and is meant to spread fear among the population. The words can be confused because every terrorist attack is an attack. But not every attack is a terrorist attack. If the motive and the goal of spreading fear are important, 'Terroranschlag' is more precise.
Nach dem Terroranschlag wurden die Sicherheitskontrollen am Bahnhof verstärkt.
After the terrorist attack, security checks at the train station were tightened.
Die Polizei untersucht den Angriff auf den Wachmann vor dem Gebäude.
The police are investigating the attack on the security guard in front of the building.