insurrection

noun

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

Essential Meaning of insurrection

: a usually violent attempt to take control of a government He led an armed insurrection [=rebellion, uprising] against the elected government. acts of insurrection

Full Definition of insurrection

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

Other Words from insurrection Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More About insurrection

Other Words from insurrection

insurrectional \ ˌin(t)-sə-ˈrek-shnəl

, -shə-nᵊl \ adjective

insurrectionary \ ˌin(t)-sə-ˈrek-shə-ˌner-ē

\ adjective or noun

insurrectionist \ ˌin(t)-sə-ˈrek-sh(ə-)nist

\ noun

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 Murkowski has come under fire because of her vote to convict Trump for inciting the January 6 insurrection. — Manu Raju And Alex Rogers, CNN, 25 Jan. 2022 Republicans object loudly to Democrats setting the FDIC agenda to protect depositors’ interests but Republicans are just fine with undermining their nation’s own elections and sparking an insurrection. — orlandosentinel.com, 14 Jan. 2022 Trump, @RepRaskin cites Trump's impeachment for inciting an insurrection. — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 9 Jan. 2022 Are light sentences that avoid lengthy spells in jail truly commensurate with the popular idea that an insurrection took place on January 6? — Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 8 Jan. 2022 House Democrats, joined by 10 Republicans, impeached Mr. Trump last January on the charge of inciting an insurrection. — Ken Thomas, WSJ, 6 Jan. 2022 The country of our imagination wasn’t supposed to be threatened by an insurrection. — Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 6 Jan. 2022 In some of his most heated comments about Jan. 6, Biden slammed former President Donald Trump in a speech early Thursday for inciting the insurrection with unfounded allegations that the 2020 presidential election was rigged. — Sean Rossman, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2022 And of the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump last January for inciting an insurrection, each has received at least one primary challenger. — Ashley Parker, Amy Gardner And Josh Dawsey, Anchorage Daily News, 6 Jan. 2022

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'insurrection.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Learn More About insurrection

From the Editors at Merriam-Webster

Dictionary Entries Near insurrection

insurrect

insurrection

insurrectionally

Statistics for insurrection

Last Updated

28 Jan 2022

Cite this Entry

“Insurrection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insurrection. Accessed 28 Jan. 2022.

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More Definitions for insurrection

insurrection

noun

in·sur·rec·tion | \ ˌin-sə-ˈrek-shən

Kids Definition of insurrection

: an act or instance of rebelling against a government

insurrection

noun

in·sur·rec·tion | \ ˌin-sə-ˈrek-shən

Legal Definition of insurrection

: 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