insurgency
noun
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Insurgencies fall into the category of "irregular warfare", since an insurgency normally lacks the organization of a revolution, even though it has the same aims. Revolutions often begin within a country's armed forces, whereas insurgencies often arise in remote areas, where they gain strength slowly by winning the confidence of rural populations. An insurgency may be based on ethnic or religious identity, or its roots may be basically political or economic. Since insurgencies are rarely strong enough to face a national army head-on, insurgents (often called guerrillas) tend to use such tactics as bombing, kidnapping, hostage taking, and hijacking.
Examples of insurgency in a Sentence
Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Iraq should also serve as a warning for the PLA, as post-decapitation insurgencies last for many years after.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
In April, 1992, Fujimori asserted full autocratic powers and drastically stepped up the counter-insurgency operation.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
An insurgency that ties the United States down in Venezuela would delight Beijing and Russia.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insurgency
Cite this Entry
“Insurgency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insurgency. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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insurgency
noun
