insurgency

noun

in·​sur·​gen·​cy in-ˈsər-jən(t)-sē 

plural insurgencies

1

: insurgence

2

: the quality or state of being insurgent

specifically : a condition of revolt against a government that is less than an organized revolution and that is not recognized as belligerency

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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.

Synonyms of insurgency

• insurrection
• revolt
• uprising
• rebellion
• mutiny

Examples of insurgency in a Sentence

there always seems to be insurgency of some type in that troubled country

Recent Examples on the Web

The Afghan Taliban and the Iraqi insurgency beat the United States through roadside bombs and sheer doggedness. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 July 2026

The hills look like telluric insurgencies, preserved for millions of years in the pampa’s calm. — Cristina Dorador, The Dial, 14 July 2026

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least populous province, has long faced a separatist insurgency led by ethnic Baloch groups seeking greater autonomy or independence. — ABC News, 10 July 2026

General David Petraeus later made the case for surging forces into Iraq in a bid to take on a burgeoning insurgency. — Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1803, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for insurgency

• emergency
• counterinsurgency
• nonemergency
• urgency

Kids Definition

insurgency

noun

in·​sur·​gen·​cy in-ˈsər-jən-sē 

plural insurgencies

: rebellion sense 2

Legal Definition

insurgency

noun

in·​sur·​gen·​cy in-ˈsər-jən-sē 

plural insurgencies

: the quality or state of being insurgent

specifically : a condition of revolt against a recognized government that does not reach the proportions of an organized revolutionary government and is not recognized as belligerency