as in revolutionary
taking part in a rebellion
any insurgent soldiers will be dealt with harshly
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in rebel
a person who rises up against authority
the government subjected the insurgents to the most inhuman torture imaginable
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of insurgent
Ammar Cheikh Omar, NBC News, 6 Dec. 2024
Since insurgent interactions with al Qaeda are almost certain to be clandestine, at least at first, detecting violations of the deal will be a test of U.S. intelligence gathering.
—David Petraeus, Foreign Affairs, 1 Apr. 2020
David Weigel, semafor.com, 27 June 2025
Iran, which wanted U.S. troops off its doorstep, organized its own insurgents, and gave them a new kind of roadside bomb, a shaped charge that could send a slug of copper through any armor, including an M1 Abrams tank.
—Karl Vick, Time, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for insurgent
Adjective
Members of the insurgent forces also told NBC News that bombing by Russian aircraft overnight also focused on the Rustan bridge along the main route to Homs, presumably in a bid to slow the rebels' advance.
—Ammar Cheikh Omar, NBC News, 6 Dec. 2024
Since insurgent interactions with al Qaeda are almost certain to be clandestine, at least at first, detecting violations of the deal will be a test of U.S. intelligence gathering.
—David Petraeus, Foreign Affairs, 1 Apr. 2020
Noun
And Andrew Cuomo’s hubris and unpopularity probably won’t be replicated in many establishment vs. insurgent primaries this year.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 27 June 2025
Iran, which wanted U.S. troops off its doorstep, organized its own insurgents, and gave them a new kind of roadside bomb, a shaped charge that could send a slug of copper through any armor, including an M1 Abrams tank.
—Karl Vick, Time, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for insurgent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insurgent
Adjective
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This evolutionary—not revolutionary—mindset offers a key lesson: Transformation doesn’t mean total disruption.—
Solange Charas,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
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Advertisement For all that was revolutionary about the Fantastic Four, there is little about the characters’ powers that is original.—
Oliver Staley,
Time,
25 July 2025
Noun
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The attackers were members of the Islamist Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a sanctioned rebel group with roots in Uganda.—
Paul Tilsley,
FOXNews.com,
31 July 2025
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While Kurdish factions remained largely neutral in the civil war between Assad and rebels, alternatively fighting with one side or the other at various times, the Iran- and Russia-backed Syrian ruler's comeback from defeats in the earlier stages of the war paved the way for potential partnerships.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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The chancellor is caught between febrile bond markets worried about government debt levels across advanced economies and rebellious Labour lawmakers who recently forced the government to pull back on reforms to welfare spending.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
22 July 2025
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Once Audrey Hepburn was seen in a pair of the prototypical capri pants, everyone wanted to own them, and de Lennart’s hero product was later donned by the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor: appreciated for its originally rebellious intentions and modern-woman appeal.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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Clarisse looks intimidating climbing out of a boat, as does Bushnell’s traitorous Luke, who wields a sharp-looking knife.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
24 July 2025
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There's a delicious whodunit aspect to it, too, as the list of five potentially traitorous suspects includes the operative's own high-profile wife (Cate Blanchett).—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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In addition to some light-hearted banter between Thia and Dek, the trailer also gives viewers a look at the treacherous journey ahead of them.—
Caroline Blair,
People.com,
23 July 2025
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Airplanes can be treacherous for people who use wheelchairs.—
Joseph Shapiro,
NPR,
17 July 2025
Adjective
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Even more provocative was Slocum’s conviction that a domestic life could be built upon the planks of a ship, amid seasick squalor, a mutinous crew, and crazy-making monotony and isolation.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
9 July 2025
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By the time Sandro Tonali walked into United’s box for a clear strike, only to hit the post, the atmosphere was mutinous.—
Laurie Whitwell,
The Athletic,
31 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Insurgent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insurgent. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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