guerilla

American  

[guh-ril-uh] / gəˈrɪl ə /

noun

1. guerrilla.

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Other Word Forms

• guerillaism noun

Explanation

The word guerilla is another way to spell "guerrilla": a member of a small, loosely organized army that fights a larger, stronger force. If you're a guerilla, you confront enemies unexpectedly and use tactics such as sabotage, raids, and ambushes. A guerilla is not a member of a state-sponsored army. Instead he or she is part of a smaller, independent army that fights a larger, more established force by using tactics that include the element of surprise. Also known as an insurgent or irregular, a guerilla usually exists outside mainstream society and typically has taken a position of active revolt or rebellion against the established ruling power.

Example Sentences

Smita Dahal, granddaughter of a three-time prime minister and former Maoist guerilla leader, who was criticised for showing off her expensive handbag collection, has her Instagram account set to private.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026

There’s inspiration too in guerilla gardening, cultivating vegetables or flowers on land not owned by gardeners.

From Salon • Jul. 5, 2025

It claimed he established a secret guerilla headquarters on the forested slopes, siring his son there between battles with the Japanese.

From Washington Times • Dec. 10, 2023

She founded an organization that defended former military officers who were put on trial and participated in rallies involving relatives of victims of terrorist attacks committed in the 1970s by leftist guerilla groups.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 21, 2023

Even so, plenty of personal pictures and videos of gleanings are uploaded to the Thunderhead, providing a guerilla record—which is so much more exciting and enticing than anything official.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman