insurgent

[in-sur-juhnt]

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.

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

/ ɪnˈsɜːdʒənt /

adjective

1. rebellious or in revolt, as against a government in power or the civil authorities

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of insurgent¹

1755–65; < Latin insurgent- (stem of insurgēns ) present participle of insurgere to get up, ascend, rebel. See in- ², surge, -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of insurgent¹

C18: from Latin insurgēns rising upon or against, from insurgere to rise up, from surgere to rise

Example Sentences

Justice Democrats backed other insurgent members of “the Squad,” such as Reps.

From Los Angeles Times

And if plenty are, and the opinion polls suggest many are, would they embrace an insurgent, barely tested alternative, Reform UK?

From BBC

Yet these political insurgents seemed to know precisely which powerful interests were keeping them in debt.

From Salon

When rural Republicans blocked a voucher program to allow students to use state dollars to pay for private school in 2023, he funded their primary challengers, replacing long-time incumbents with freshman insurgents.

From Salon

The Greens were second to Labour in 40 constituencies at last year's general election but an insurgent left-wing party could eat into their support.

From BBC

Related Words

• demonstrator 
• mutineer 
• radical 
• revolutionary 
• rioter www.thesaurus.com