guerrilla
3 synonyms for guerrilla, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A fighter in a small, independent armed group that uses surprise raids rather than open battle, typically against a larger regular army.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
guerilla
How to use guerrilla
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
guerrilla warfare
guerrilla marketing
guerrilla fighters
Etymology
From Spanish guerrilla, "little war," a diminutive of guerra ("war"), coined during Spain's fight against Napoleon.
Full origin of guerrilla →Frequently asked questions
What does “guerrilla” mean?
The word “guerrilla” means a fighter in a small, independent armed group that uses surprise raids rather than open battle, typically against a larger regular army. In plain terms, small-scale, hit-and-run fighting — or, more loosely, any scrappy, unconventional tactic.
How do you pronounce “guerrilla”?
“Guerrilla” is pronounced guh-RIH-luh (/ɡəˈɹɪlə/ in IPA).
How do you use “guerrilla” in a sentence?
Here is “guerrilla” used in a sentence: “The guerrillas retreated into the mountains after the ambush.”
What part of speech is “guerrilla”?
Depending on how it is used, “guerrilla” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “guerrilla” come from?
The word “guerrilla” comes from Spanish. From Spanish guerrilla, "little war," a diminutive of guerra ("war"), coined during Spain's fight against Napoleon.
Is “guerrilla” a common word?
“Guerrilla” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “guerrilla” have?
“Guerrilla” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a fighter in a small, independent armed group that uses surprise raids rather than open battle, typically against a larger regular army.
