counterinsurgency
Americannoun
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of counterinsurgency
First recorded in 1960–65; counter- + insurgency
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Rwanda’s withdrawal threats came as top Mozambican officials visited Brussels to seek continued EU funding for counterinsurgency efforts.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026
Army, counterinsurgency doctrine dictates 20 to 25 troops for every 1,000 inhabitants to achieve stability.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026
During the Iraq war, McMaster thoroughly studied the history and theory of counterinsurgency warfare, then applied his learnings as regiment commander in the province of Tal Afar with remarkable success.
From Slate • Sep. 2, 2024
The decision has upended U.S. counterinsurgency operations in Africa’s Sahel.
From Seattle Times • Jun. 6, 2024
Instead, counterinsurgency efforts focus on a strategy of "clear, hold, and build"—"clearing" areas of insurgents and death squads, "holding" those areas with Iraqi security forces, and "building" areas with quick-impact reconstruction projects.
From The Iraq Study Group Report by Iraq Study Group (U.S.)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
