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Definition of insurgency noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

insurgency

noun
 
/ɪnˈsɜːdʒənsi/
 
/ɪnˈsɜːrdʒənsi/
[uncountable, countable]
(plural insurgencies)
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  1. an attempt to take control of a country by force synonym rebellion
    • The 23-year insurgency had cost an estimated 21 000 lives.
    • The government faces continuing insurgency in the north-east.
    Collocations War and peaceWar and peaceStarting a war
    • declare/​make/​wage war (on somebody/​something)
    • go to war (against/​with somebody)
    • cause/​spark/​provoke/​foment/​quell unrest
    • incite/​lead/​crush/​suppress a revolt/​rebellion
    • launch/​mount/​carry out a surprise/​terrorist attack
    • prevent/​halt/​represent an escalation of the conflict
    • be torn apart by/​be on the brink of civil war
    • enter/​invade/​occupy somebody’s territory
    • lead/​launch/​resist/​repel an invasion
    Military operations
    • adopt/​develop/​implement/​pursue a military strategy
    • carry out/​execute/​perform military operations/​manoeuvres
    • send/​deploy/​station/​pull back/​withdraw troops
    • go on/​fly/​carry out a reconnaissance/​rescue mission
    • train/​equip/​deploy army/​military/​combat units
    • lead/​launch/​conduct a raid/​a surprise attack/​an (air/​airborne/​amphibious) assault (on somebody)
    • employ/​use guerrilla tactics
    • conduct/​wage biological/​guerrilla warfare
    • fight/​crush/​defeat the rebels/​the insurgency
    • suffer/​inflict a crushing defeat
    • achieve/​win a decisive victory
    • halt/​stop the British/​German/​Russian advance
    • order/​force a retreat
    Fighting
    • join/​serve in the army/​navy/​air force
    • be/​go/​remain/​serve on active duty
    • serve/​complete/​return from a tour of duty
    • be sent to the front (line)
    • attack/​strike/​engage/​defeat/​kill/​destroy the enemy
    • see/​report/​be engaged in heavy fighting
    • call for/​be met with armed resistance
    • come under heavy/​machine-gun/​mortar fire
    • fire a machine-gun/​mortar shells/​rockets (at somebody/​something)
    • shoot a rifle/​a pistol/​bullets/​missiles
    • launch/​fire a cruise/​ballistic/​anti-tank missile
    • use biological/​chemical/​nuclear weapons
    • inflict/​suffer/​sustain heavy losses/​casualties
    • be hit/​killed by enemy/​friendly/​artillery fire
    • become/​be held as a prisoner of war
    Civilians in war
    • harm/​kill/​target/​protect innocent/​unarmed civilians
    • cause/​avoid/​limit/​minimize civilian casualties/​collateral damage
    • impose/​enforce/​lift a curfew
    • engage in/​be a victim of ethnic cleansing
    • be sent to an internment/​a concentration camp
    • accept/​house/​resettle refugees fleeing from war
    • fear/​threaten military/​violent reprisals
    • commit/​be accused of war crimes/​crimes against humanity/​genocide
    Making peace
    • make/​bring/​win/​achieve/​maintain/​promote peace
    • call for/​negotiate/​broker/​declare a ceasefire/​a temporary truce
    • sign a ceasefire agreement
    • call for/​bring/​put an end to hostilities
    • demand/​negotiate/​accept the surrender of somebody/​something
    • establish/​send (in) a peacekeeping force
    • negotiate/​conclude/​ratify/​sign/​accept/​reject/​break/​violate a peace treaty
    see also counter-insurgencyTopics War and conflictc2
See insurgency in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

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