People who rise in active revolt against established authority or government; rebels or revolutionaries.
From Latin insurgere meaning 'to rise up,' composed of in- (against) and surgere (to rise). The term entered English through French insurgent in the 18th century, initially used to describe those opposing established governments during various revolutions.
The word 'insurgents' carries the literal meaning of 'rising up' - it's the same 'surge' we see in ocean waves and electrical power surges. Interestingly, whether someone is called an 'insurgent' or a 'freedom fighter' often depends entirely on political perspective.
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