noun / adjective

insurgent

in-SUR-junt/ˌɪnsˈɝdʒʌnt/

A person rebelling against established authority, or relating to such rebellion.

The insurgent raises a banner in defiance of the fortified authority building.

A historical insurgent in plain civilian clothing holding a raised banner against a fortified authority building, Latino adult, no logos or blood.

Etymology

inLatinagainst; perhaps adds emphasis

+surgLatinto rise

+entLatinpresent participle ending

An insurgent is literally someone rising up, with physical rising becoming an image of revolt against authority. The prefix may mean “against,” though it may instead simply intensify the rising.

In context

ORCA Media489:14

… returning the nation to a state of normalcy and order was more important than killing every insurgent in in the region to end the violence

2022 Peace and War Summit at Norwich University Day 1

More examples

An insurgent group controlled the mountain road.
The insurgent refused to surrender his weapon.
Talks began between officials and insurgent leaders.

Forms

insurgent · insurgents

insurgency noun — organized rebellion against authority

Similar words

rebel: Rebel is broad; insurgent often concerns organized resistance to established authority.
revolutionary: A revolutionary seeks fundamental change; an insurgent need not propose a complete new system.