insurgent

Everyday

1. An insurgent is a person who fights against the government or ruling power of their country, often with weapons. tree →
2. Insurgent as an adjective means rebelling or rising up against those in power. tree →
3. Insurgent can also describe a new challenger rising against an old leader, like an insurgent party in politics. tree →

In the lessons

In news and history lessons, insurgents fight in civil wars or against occupying forces. Whether someone is called an insurgent, a rebel or a freedom fighter can depend on who is telling the story, so careful readers notice the words chosen. In politics, an insurgent campaign challenges the established leaders.

Examples

• Insurgents attacked the army base. tree →
• The government said the insurgents had been defeated. tree →
• The insurgent groups controlled the hills. tree →
• Some called them insurgents; others called them freedom fighters. tree →
• The insurgent candidate surprised everyone by winning. tree →
• History is full of insurgent movements. tree →
• A poor half-grown boy in a ragged blouse fought among the older insurgents. tree →

Note

Countable. Noun: insurgency (the uprising). Similar to «rebel». The word chosen often shows the speaker's view of the fighters.