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

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

From Barron's

Iran, where an insurgent civil society desperately awaits support?

From The Wall Street Journal

Nepal became a federal republic in 2008 after a decade-long civil war and a peace deal that saw former Maoist insurgents brought into government and the abolishment of the monarchy.

From Barron's

Daniel Bwala said Nigeria would welcome US help in tackling the Islamist insurgents but noted that it was a "sovereign" country.

From BBC

Min Aung Hlaing has said military operations were justified to root out insurgents and steadfastly denies allegations of human rights abuses.

From Barron's

Related Words

• demonstrator
• mutineer
• radical
• revolutionary
• rioter