insurgent

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a person who takes part in an armed rebellion against the constituted authority (especially in the hope of improving conditions)
  2. noun a member of an irregular armed force that fights a stronger force by sabotage and harassment
  3. adjective in opposition to a civil authority or government

Etymology

From Latin īnsurgentem, accusative singular of īnsurgēns, present active participle of īnsurgō (“to rise up against, revolt”), from in (“against”) + surgō (“to rise”), itself from sub (“up from below”) + regō (“to guide, direct, rule, govern, administer”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃reǵ- (“to move in a straight line, to rule, guide, lead straight, put right”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

insurrectionist, freedom fighter, rebel

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