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
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Recent Examples of insurgencies
Ethnic insurgencies may present the most realistic internal threat to the Iranian regime, which has quashed civil society and pro-democracy protest movements for years.
—
Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
The limits of our power were clearly demonstrated, as insurgencies took hold and our major aims were unachieved.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2026
The high-tech arsenal left behind by America is now turbocharging insurgencies in the border region, and its complicating efforts by the US and Pakistan to exploit its vast mineral riches.
—Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 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 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
Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
The limits of our power were clearly demonstrated, as insurgencies took hold and our major aims were unachieved.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2026
The high-tech arsenal left behind by America is now turbocharging insurgencies in the border region, and its complicating efforts by the US and Pakistan to exploit its vast mineral riches.
—Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 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 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 Examples of Synonyms for insurgencies
Noun
-
But the regime, besieged by insurrections across the country, abandoned Manbij.—
Anand Gopal,
New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Unlike coups or insurrections, which are swift and explicit, modern democratic backsliding is often incremental.—
Helena Carpio,
Time,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The legislation excludes people accused of involvement in military rebellions or coups, as well as those charged with serious crimes such as human-rights violations, intentional homicide, drug trafficking and corruption.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Aren’t rebellions built on hope?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Kurds in Iran have a long history of grievances and uprisings against both the current Islamic Republic and the monarchy that preceded it.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Mar. 2026
-
American air power can strike regime forces that move to suppress civilian uprisings and, in the process, probably prevent a massacre.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Continue reading … THINK AGAIN — New 'microgeneration' of students revolts against 'cringy' campus wokeness.—
,
FOXNews.com,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The royal government was also known as a dictatorship for banning political parties, suppressing revolts and political opposition, controlling the press and having its own secret police force called SAVAK.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
That mobility occasionally allowed for communication and coordination during mutinies.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
-
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 19 Mar. 2026.
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