What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
insurgent
Example
The insurgents launched an attack on the government building. [insurgents: noun]
Example
He joined the insurgent group to fight for his people's rights. [insurgent: adjective]
rebel
Example
The rebels fought against the oppressive regime. [rebels: noun]
Example
She rebelled against her strict upbringing and moved to the city. [rebelled: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Rebel is more commonly used than insurgent in everyday language. Rebel is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while insurgent is less common and refers to a specific type of resistance.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between insurgent and rebel?
Insurgent is typically associated with a more formal and academic tone, while rebel is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.