insurgency

American  

[in-sur-juhn-see] / ɪnˈsɜr dʒən si /

noun

plural

insurgencies

1. the state or condition of being insurgent.

2. insurrection against an existing government, usually one's own, by a group not recognized as having the status of a belligerent.

3. rebellion within a group, as by members against leaders.

4. insurgence.

---

Etymology

Origin of insurgency

First recorded in 1795–1805; insurg(ent) + -ency

Explanation

An insurgency is a movement within a country dedicated to overthrowing the government. An insurgency is a rebellion. Insurgencies are movements to overthrow governments. The United States was founded by an insurgency, when the colonies fought England for independence. In the Star Wars movies, the rebel forces stage an insurgency. Around the world, many insurgencies exist, using violent and other means. Insurgency is also used for less serious situations: for example, a rebellious group within a company, political party, or school could be called an insurgency. All insurgencies are made up of rebels.

Example Sentences

India in the last two years stepped up its campaign against the last remnants of the Naxalite rebellion, named after the village in the Himalayan foothills where the Maoist-inspired insurgency began nearly six decades ago.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

In the 1968 Tet Offensive, U.S. forces crushed the Viet Cong, dealing a near-fatal blow to the communist insurgency.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the rumors of a Kurdish insurgency “completely false.”

From Salon • Mar. 5, 2026

Military juntas seized power in all three countries, promising to curb the insurgency.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

Typically the subject was a well-to-do immigrant supporting some potential insurgency in his old land, or else funding a fledgling trade union or radical student organization.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee

Related Words

• dissent
• insurrection
• mutiny
• revolt
• revolution
• uprising