insurgent

American  

[in-sur-juhnt] / ɪnˈsɜr dʒənt /

noun

1. a person who rises in forcible opposition to lawful authority, especially a person who engages in armed resistance to a government or to the execution of its laws; rebel.

2. a member of a section of a political party that revolts against the methods or policies of the party.

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adjective

1. of or characteristic of an insurgent or insurgents.

   Synonyms:

   mutinous, revolutionary, rebellious

2. surging or rushing in.

   The insurgent waves battered the shore.

insurgent British  

/ ɪnˈsɜːdʒənt /

adjective

1. rebellious or in revolt, as against a government in power or the civil authorities

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noun

1. a person who takes part in an uprising or rebellion; insurrectionist

2. international law a person or group that rises in revolt against an established government or authority but whose conduct does not amount to belligerency

Other Word Forms

• insurgency noun

Etymology

Origin of insurgent

1755–65; < Latin insurgent- (stem of insurgēns ) present participle of insurgere to get up, ascend, rebel. See in- ², surge, -ent

Example Sentences

In 1903, Roosevelt approved a coup by local insurgents, and sent in the gunboats.

From Barron's

In 1903, Roosevelt approved a coup by local insurgents, and sent in the gunboats.

From Barron's

To some surprise, the insurgent party's leadership backed scrapping the London to Liverpool plan, though it would have supported an underground station in Greater Manchester.

From BBC

Myanmar rejected the report and has consistently said its operations targeted militant or insurgent threats.

From BBC

The area is heavily policed by Thai security forces -- the usual targets of insurgent attacks.

From Barron's

Related Words

• demonstrator
• mutineer
• radical
• revolutionary
• rioter