insurgent

[ in-sur-juhnt ]

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.

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

/ ɪnˈsɜːdʒənt /

adjective

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

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

Derived Forms

• inˈsurgency, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of insurgent¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of insurgent¹

C18: from Latin insurgēns rising upon or against, from insurgere to rise up, from surgere to rise

Example Sentences

The Russian government has sent weapons, helicopters and mercenaries from the Wagner group to help Mali fight Islamist insurgents and rebels.

From New York Times

Russia, which has been seeking to gain more influence in Africa, has in recent years sent thousands of mercenaries to West and Central Africa to protect military regimes and help them fight insurgents.

From BBC

A large deployment of Russian troops arrived in the country in January in a sign of deepening ties, a year after French troops fighting insurgents were kicked out of the country.

From BBC

Last year marked a turn of the tide, as the junta saw a fresh wave of attacks from insurgents that have since pushed the military government to breaking point.

From BBC

Since then, though, China has tried to rein in the insurgents, to prevent an outright collapse of the military regime in Nay Pyi Daw.

From BBC

Related Words

• demonstrator
• mutineer
• radical
• revolutionary
• rioter