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

In “Guitar World,” Sinclair described “the crazed guerilla warfare we were waging with the MC5.”

From Seattle Times • Apr. 2, 2024

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’s a guerilla class-warfare legend whose mating call sounds like the hissing warb-garble of a cappuccino machine milk-steamer.

From Salon • Oct. 27, 2023

Many of those who fled were reportedly undergoing guerilla training in neighbouring black states under the aegis of Umkhonto We Sizwe.

From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane