insurgent

1 of 2

noun

in·​sur·​gent in-ˈsər-jənt 

1

: a person who revolts against civil authority or an established government

especially : a rebel not recognized as a belligerent

2

: one who acts contrary to the policies and decisions of one's own political party

insurgent

2 of 2

adjective

: rising in opposition to civil authority or established leadership : rebellious

insurgently adverb

Did you know?

Is insurgent a new word?

Insurgent is not a particularly novel coinage; it has been in use as both a noun and an adjective for well over 200 years. Appearances of the word began to spike in the early 21st century, however, due to a combination of factors (including the appearance of such combatants in conflicts and the desire among journalists to avoid words that might seem biased, such as terrorist or freedom fighter).

The definition of the noun, which includes the phrase “a rebel not recognized as a belligerent,” refers to a specific sense of belligerent: “belonging to or recognized as an organized military power protected by and subject to the laws of war.”

Synonyms of insurgent

Noun

• rebel
• revolutionary

Adjective

• revolutionary
• rebellious
• traitorous
• insurrectionary
• treacherous
• mutinous

Examples of insurgent in a Sentence

Noun

Insurgents are trying to gain control of the country's transportation system.

the government subjected the insurgents to the most inhuman torture imaginable

Adjective

any insurgent soldiers will be dealt with harshly

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

O’Neill said even the surprise insurgent campaign of Spencer Pratt for Los Angeles mayor gave OC Republicans hope. —John Seiler, Oc Register, 4 June 2026

In the complicated governor’s race, voters embraced the former health secretary’s centrist stance over the passionate promises of insurgent candidates. —Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 4 June 2026

Adjective

Myanmar is worried about resistance to military rule, India is concerned with insurgent groups in its northeast. —Michael Sullivan, NPR, 30 May 2026

Spencer Pratt, once the villain of the 2000s MTV reality show The Hills and now an insurgent candidate in this year’s Los Angeles mayoral race, had a breakthrough moment in his first debate performance last Wednesday. —Miles Klee, Wired News, 15 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin insurgent-, insurgens, present participle of insurgere to rise up, from in- + surgere to rise — more at surge

First Known Use

Noun

1765, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1802, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for insurgent

• convergent
• detergent
• divergent
• emergent
• resurgent
• urgent

Kids Definition

insurgent

1 of 2 noun

in·​sur·​gent in-ˈsər-jənt 

: a person who revolts : rebel

insurgent

2 of 2 adjective

: rebellious sense 1

Legal Definition

insurgent

1 of 2 noun

in·​sur·​gent in-ˈsər-jənt 

1

: a person who rises in revolt against civil authority or an established government

especially : one not recognized as a belligerent

2

: one that acts contrary to the established leadership (as of a political party, union, or corporation) or its decisions and policies

insurgent

2 of 2 adjective

: rising in opposition to civil or political authority or against an established government