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

I didn’t want to be an identity insurgent.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

In both elections, he won the votes of more than 2 million Californians, who were also a major source of the small-dollar donations that fueled his insurgent campaigns.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2026

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

From BBC • Jan. 12, 2026

"They are fragmented, and they have no leadership," she added of the insurgent groups.

From Barron's • Dec. 17, 2025

“Sadly, the bridge is already under insurgent control due to questionable strategizing by my bereft cohort.”

From "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green

Related Words

• demonstrator
• mutineer
• radical
• revolutionary
• rioter