countergovernment

noun

coun·​ter·​gov·​ern·​ment ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈgə-vər(n)-mənt How to pronounce countergovernment (audio)
-və-mənt;
-ˈgə-bᵊm-ənt,
-vᵊm-
variants or counter-government
plural countergovernments or counter-governments
: a group of people that organizes as an unofficial governing authority to oppose or supplant a legitimate or generally recognized government
His investigation … has shown the existence of what he called ersatz embassies, that is, diplomatic outposts of countergovernments or governments-in-exile.Richard Dale

Word History

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of countergovernment was in 1818

Dictionary Entries Near countergovernment

Cite this Entry

“Countergovernment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/countergovernment. Accessed 14 Dec. 2024.

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