guerrilla

Definition

A soldier in a small independent group, fighting against the government or regular forces by surprise raids.

Etymology

Borrowed from Spanish guerrilla, diminutive of guerra (“war”), coined during the Peninsular War.

Example Sentences

• "The right-wing paramilitary's offensive against the Marxist guerrillas failed because they did not know the terrain well enough."
• "From the start of its operations in Colombia, the company was on guard against the decadeslong civil strife in the country between left-wing guerrilla and right-wing paramilitary groups, witnesses have testified."
• "After a harsh police crackdown last week fueled anger and swelled protests, President Dilma Rousseff, a former guerrilla who was imprisoned under the dictatorship and has now become the target of pointed criticism herself, tried to appease dissenters by embracing their cause on Tuesday."