counterinsurgency

noun

coun·​ter·​in·​sur·​gen·​cy ˌkau̇n-tər-in-ˈsər-jən(t)-sē How to pronounce counterinsurgency (audio)
: organized military activity designed to combat insurgency
counterinsurgent noun

Examples of counterinsurgency in a Sentence

The military has launched a counterinsurgency.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Military personnel and analysts say countries like the U.K. have been focused on fighting counterinsurgency wars, particularly post-9/11, rather than what a conflict with Russia would look like. Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025 In Maryland and Washington, D.C., the ongoing liberalization of sports-betting law is confronting a counterinsurgency. David B. McGarry, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2025 Because civil wars and counterinsurgency operations are fought in and among populations, civilians bear the brunt of the harm from these wars, not only by being caught up in deliberate sectarian violence or crossfire but also because they are forced to flee their homes. Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs, 14 Apr. 2025 After that, Commander Reyes can dispatch to Fort Bragg to train our Green Berets on counterinsurgency warfare. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 23 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for counterinsurgency

Word History

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of counterinsurgency was in 1962

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Cite this Entry

“Counterinsurgency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterinsurgency. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.

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