Definition

1. Noun:
   • Violence or sabotage for environmentalist goals: The use of criminal acts, such as property destruction or intimidation, intended to promote environmentalist political or social objectives.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The bombing of the construction site was an act of ecoterrorism.
  • Authorities are increasing surveillance to prevent ecoterrorism targeting the logging industry.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in political and legal contexts to label and condemn specific illegal actions taken in the name of environmental protection.
• It distinguishes illegal, violent acts from lawful forms of environmental protest and civil disobedience.

Variants and Related Words

• Ecoterrorist (noun): A person who commits or is involved in ecoterrorism.
  • The group was labeled as ecoterrorists by the government.

Synonyms

• Environmental terrorism
• Eco-sabotage (though this may imply a narrower focus on property damage)

Notes on Meaning

• The term is politically charged. Proponents of the actions may reject the label "terrorism," preferring terms like "ecotage" or "monkeywrenching" to describe non-violent property destruction aimed at preventing environmental harm without threatening human life.
• The core meaning hinges on the use of violence or sabotage to advance an environmentalist agenda.

Noun

1. violence carried out to further the political or social objectives of the environmentalists