insurgency
|in-sur-gen-cy|
🇺🇸
/ɪnˈsɝdənsi/
🇬🇧
/ɪnˈsɜːdənsi/
armed uprising / organized rebellion
Etymology
'insurgency' originates from Latin, specifically the Late Latin word 'insurgentia' from the verb 'insurgere', where 'in-' meant 'upon/into' (or intensifying) and 'surgere' meant 'to rise'.
'insurgency' changed from Late Latin 'insurgentia' to Old French 'insurgence' and Middle English 'insurgence', and eventually became the modern English word 'insurgency'.
Initially it meant 'a rising up' or 'act of rising', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'an organized (often armed) rebellion or prolonged campaign against authority'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an organized rebellion or uprising, especially one that is armed and seeks to overthrow or challenge established authority or government.
The government sent additional troops to the region to try to contain the insurgency.
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Noun 2
a prolonged, often low‑intensity campaign or movement (political or military) by a group using irregular tactics to challenge control over territory or influence policy.
The insurgency developed into a protracted conflict involving hit‑and‑run attacks and sabotage.
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Noun 3
the state or condition of being insurgent; active resistance against authority or the established order.
Periods of widespread insurgency often follow severe economic collapse or political repression.
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Last updated: 2025/11/08 17:19