as in insurrections
open fighting against authority (as one's own government)
there always seems to be insurgency of some type in that troubled country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of insurgencies
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 this sense, the rebellion led by Joseph Cinque and his comrades sheds light not only on slave ship insurgencies, but also on the richness of African challenges to enslavement.
—Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025
Takeovers in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, for example, were driven in part by growing terrorist insurgencies, Russian disinformation and rising anti-French sentiment.
—John Joseph Chin, The Conversation, 1 Dec. 2025
By then the Defense Department had also been sharing with Venezuelans a secret plan to foment insurgencies called Operation X Zone.
—Kevin G. Hall, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
The country has for decades grappled with complex security challenges, particularly Islamist insurgencies such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent history in places such as Afghanistan and Iraq suggests that insurgencies can wear down regular armies over time.
—Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2025
Unlike some other ethnic armed organizations leading insurgencies against the junta, the KNA is a pro-junta militia formally folded into the army’s command.
—Dan Swift, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2025
The area has been engulfed in decades-long conflict between armed ethnic groups and the Burmese authorities, who are now fighting multiple insurgencies following the 2021 military coup and its violent crackdown on opposition forces.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
In this sense, the rebellion led by Joseph Cinque and his comrades sheds light not only on slave ship insurgencies, but also on the richness of African challenges to enslavement.
—Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025
Takeovers in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, for example, were driven in part by growing terrorist insurgencies, Russian disinformation and rising anti-French sentiment.
—John Joseph Chin, The Conversation, 1 Dec. 2025
By then the Defense Department had also been sharing with Venezuelans a secret plan to foment insurgencies called Operation X Zone.
—Kevin G. Hall, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
The country has for decades grappled with complex security challenges, particularly Islamist insurgencies such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent history in places such as Afghanistan and Iraq suggests that insurgencies can wear down regular armies over time.
—Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2025
Unlike some other ethnic armed organizations leading insurgencies against the junta, the KNA is a pro-junta militia formally folded into the army’s command.
—Dan Swift, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2025
The area has been engulfed in decades-long conflict between armed ethnic groups and the Burmese authorities, who are now fighting multiple insurgencies following the 2021 military coup and its violent crackdown on opposition forces.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insurgencies
Noun
-
Unlike coups or insurrections, which are swift and explicit, modern democratic backsliding is often incremental.—
Helena Carpio,
Time,
16 Jan. 2026
-
The 1807 measure allows the president to deploy members of the military or federalize state National Guard members to contain insurrections.—
Sarah Davis,
The Hill,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Urban uprisings and rebellions by Blacks stretched from coast to coast.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Here are some notable uses of the Insurrection Act, usually to quell rebellions or in cases where local or state authorities were unable or unwilling to maintain order or uphold the Constitution.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Arab Spring uprisings reached Syria in 2011 and blazed up into civil war.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Urban uprisings and rebellions by Blacks stretched from coast to coast.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The ticker might jump on news of a political abduction, distant revolts, or threats over Arctic resources, but the underlying story remains the same.—
Tim Treadgold,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The society’s equilibrium has been profoundly disrupted and can easily tip into escalating popular revolts and open elite resistance, producing a revolution.—
Karim Sadjadpour,
The Atlantic,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This includes leader assassination attempts by political opponents or lone wolves or mutinies by disgruntled soldiers who might even march on the presidential palace to demand higher pay, promotions or other policy concessions.—
John Joseph Chin,
The Conversation,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Insurgencies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insurgencies. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
