insurrection

noun

in·​sur·​rec·​tion ˌin(t)-sə-ˈrek-shən 

: an act or instance of revolting against civil authority or an established government

insurrectional

ˌin(t)-sə-ˈrek-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

insurrectionary

ˌin(t)-sə-ˈrek-shə-ˌner-ē 

adjective or noun

insurrectionist

ˌin(t)-sə-ˈrek-sh(ə-)nist 

noun

Synonyms

• revolt
• uprising
• mutiny
• rebellion

Choose the Right Synonym for insurrection

rebellion, revolution, uprising, revolt, insurrection, mutiny mean an outbreak against authority.

rebellion implies an open formidable resistance that is often unsuccessful.

open rebellion against the officers

revolution applies to a successful rebellion resulting in a major change (as in government).

a political revolution that toppled the monarchy

uprising implies a brief, limited, and often immediately ineffective rebellion.

quickly put down the uprising

revolt and insurrection imply an armed uprising that quickly fails or succeeds.

a revolt by the Young Turks that surprised party leaders

an insurrection of oppressed laborers

mutiny applies to group insubordination or insurrection especially against naval authority.

a mutiny led by the ship's cook

Examples of insurrection in a Sentence

the famous insurrection of the slaves in ancient Rome under Spartacus

Recent Examples on the Web

On his first day back in office, Trump pardoned every person charged or convicted for their role in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection — the last time his supporters decided to fight for the right of the country. —Heidi Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025

This coup marked the only successful insurrection in American history and was fueled by the goal of reasserting white political and economic dominance. Ocoee, Florida (1920): Black residents who attempted to vote were met with mob violence. —Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 10 Aug. 2025

In 2021, soon after the insurrection at the Capitol, Trump hired Coale to file a class-action lawsuit against Facebook and other social media companies for their decisions to ban Trump from their platforms. —Simon Shuster, Time, 8 Aug. 2025

Militia groups have always been relatively splintered, but the insurrection exacerbated the fissures. —Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 5 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English insureccion, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin insurrection-, insurrectio, from insurgere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for insurrection

• circumspection
• disaffection
• disconnection
• disinfection
• dorsiflexion
• imperfection
• indirection
• intellection
• interjection
• intersection
• introjection
• introspection

Kids Definition

insurrection

noun

in·​sur·​rec·​tion ˌin(t)-sə-ˈrek-shən 

: rebellion sense 2

insurrectionary

-shə-ˌner-ē 

adjective or noun

insurrectionist

-sh(ə-)nəst 

noun

Legal Definition

insurrection

noun

in·​sur·​rec·​tion ˌin-sə-ˈrek-shən 

: the act or an instance of revolting especially violently against civil or political authority or against an established government

also : the crime of inciting or engaging in such revolt

whoever incites, sets on foot, assists, or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States…shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years

—U.S. Code