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

In conspiring to drive up the price of stocks, the insurgents made aggressive use of call options — contracts that give them the right to buy the stock over a certain period of time at a higher price from a broker who may not actually own the stock.

From Washington Post

He said police and prosecutors will be “engaged for years” investigating and trying insurgents.

From Washington Post

There was a time once when I was flying into Baghdad during the Iraq War, when, just before we left Kuwait, we had reports that insurgents were going to try and take down our plane as it came in.

From Ozy

Last Wednesday, many of us watched in horror and despair as insurgents stormed the US Capitol.

From Popular-Science

Lowe marched along with his father as the insurgents were rounded up, led through the streets and taken to be executed at Kilmainham Gaol.

From Ozy

When one major operation, dubbed Arrowhead Ripper, concluded in mid-August, most insurgent activity in the area had ceased.

From The Daily Beast

The U.S. hackers sent fake text messages to insurgent fighters and roadside bombers.

From The Daily Beast

Eventually, Wurmser said, Sunni insurgent groups did gain access to the shells in 2005.

From The Daily Beast

Furthermore, by removing them from their post, you create an opportunity for insurgent black magic to materialize a car bomb.

From The Daily Beast

There are too many opportunities for friendly fire, for civilian casualties, for insurgent ambushes.

From The Daily Beast

The insurgent troops were included in the above category, but their arms were restored to them on their leaving the city.

From Project Gutenberg

After the formal proclamation was issued the function terminated with a banquet given to 200 insurgent notabilities.

From Project Gutenberg

For several nights a certain insurgent lieutenant had tried to pass the Nebraska lines.

From Project Gutenberg

Groups of hundreds of non-combatants were hurrying off from the beleaguered insurgent capital.

From Project Gutenberg

The flower of the insurgent army was there, well armed and supplied with artillery and shrapnel shell.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• demonstrator
• mutineer
• radical
• revolutionary
• rioter