Definition

The act of using harmful biological substances, like germs or viruses, to cause fear or harm for political or social reasons.

Example

The government is taking measures to prevent bioterrorism after recent threats were made.

Conversation

Did you hear about the latest news on bioterrorism threats?

Yeah, it's pretty alarming to think about how easily it could happen.

I know, right? It makes you realize how important our safety measures are.

Absolutely, we really need to stay informed and prepared.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Bioterrorism is formed from "bio-" (from Greek "bios", meaning life) and "terrorism" (from Latin "terror", meaning fear or fright, combined with the suffix "-ism", indicating a practice or ideology). The term refers to the use of biological agents to instill fear or terror in a population.

Memory Tip

Think of 'bio-' meaning 'life' and 'terrorism' meaning 'the practice of instilling fear'. This helps you remember that bioterrorism involves using life-threatening biological agents to create fear.

Visually Confused Words