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

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

From Barron's

Authorities are investigating a trip both men took last month to an island in the Philippines where local insurgents have previously sworn allegiance to Islamic State.

From The Wall Street Journal

"They are fragmented, and they have no leadership," she added of the insurgent groups.

From Barron's

So the military has made retaking as much territory from insurgents before the election a priority.

From BBC

The U.S. also stations commandos and other forces in Somalia itself, where they help elite local troops fighting al-Shabaab—an Islamist insurgent group affiliated with al Qaeda—and the Somali branch of Islamic State.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• demonstrator
• mutineer
• radical
• revolutionary
• rioter