insurgency
Americannoun
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the state or condition of being insurgent.
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insurrection against an existing government, usually one's own, by a group not recognized as having the status of a belligerent.
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rebellion within a group, as by members against leaders.
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.
Vocabulary lists containing insurgency
The Middle East and Central Asia - Middle School
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The Middle East and Central Asia - High School
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"On the Vietnam War, 1967," Vocabulary from the speech
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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.
Nigerian military spokesman Sani Uba said al-Minuki had established a "concealed and fortified enclave" at a remote village in the Borno State in the northeast, the epicentre of a 17-year armed insurgency.
From Barron's • May 16, 2026
Mali imported Russia’s Wagner mercenaries in 2022, in a failed attempt to swiftly suffocate the local Islamist insurgency that has since emerged as al Qaeda’s most successful and resilient offshoot.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026
The insurgency, which began in 2012, is led by Iyad ag Ghali, a former Marlboro-puffing rock ‘n’ roller who became radicalized and banned music from the territories he controls.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026
UN peacekeepers and French forces deployed to deal with the escalating insurgency left after the junta took over, and the military government hired Russian mercenaries to help tackle the insecurity.
From BBC • Apr. 26, 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
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.
