insurgent

This page is about the dysphemism insurgent

Meaning

member of a movement to defeat or overthrow a government

For example

  • After calling their opponents "insurgents", the government began arresting them.

  • If trying to bring down a dictator means I'm an insurgent, I'm proud to be one!

Note:
"Insurgent" is one of many words that governments use to make their opponents sound like dangerous people. Others include "dissident", "subversive", "insurrectionary", "seditionist", "militant" and "terrorist".

Quick Quiz

Calling political activists "insurgents" makes them sound like

a. very bad people

b. very good people

c. very strong people
a) very bad people b) very good people c) very strong people

Contributor: Matt Errey