English Reference
Noun

insurgency

n. C / U
C1 Advanced US /ˌɪnˈsɝdʒənsi/ UK /ɪnsˈɜːdʒənsi/ in·sur·gen·cy UK spelling insurgencies

n.a violent struggle by a group of people who are trying to take control from their government. It is usually an organized fight that lasts for a long time.

n.an active revolt or uprising against a constituted government or established authority. Often involves guerrilla warfare or irregular tactics rather than conventional military engagement.


SIMPLE

The government is struggling to end the insurgency in the north.

CONTEXTUAL

Military leaders warned that the local insurgency was gaining strength due to a lack of economic opportunities in the region.

COMPLEX

Historians often debate whether the movement should be classified as a popular revolution or a localized insurgency funded by external political actors seeking to destabilize the regime.

Usage

Countable when referring to a specific instance of revolt; uncountable when referring to the general state of rebellion.

Ethiopia also continues to grapple with armed insurgencies in Oromia and Amhara, the country's two most-populous regional states.

BBC News· 19 Aug 2026

He still uses the pseudonym he went by for years during the insurgency, but he told us his real name is Tahir Shah Seddiqi - revealing it publicly for the first time.

BBC News· 24 Aug 2026

From insurgent + -cy.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated