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

Other Word Forms

• insurgency 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

So-called insurgent brands now capture a wildly disproportionate share of growth.

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A thousand Wagner mercenaries first arrived in Mali in late 2021, with the nation’s government paying $10 million a month for help fighting the insurgents.

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The insurgent right National Rally and the leftist coalition—one of whom presumably could win an election—agree on little but averting cuts to the welfare state.

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The party appears to be trying to shed its image as well-meaning eco-warriors to become an insurgent force.

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His comments came after his home secretary set out plans to tighten rules for migrants seeking indefinite leave to remain during a Labour Party conference focused on how to beat an insurgent Reform UK.

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Related Words

• demonstrator 
• mutineer 
• radical 
• revolutionary 
• rioter www.thesaurus.com