as in revolt
open fighting against authority (as one's own government) the famous insurrection of the slaves in ancient Rome under Spartacus

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the noun insurrection differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of insurrection are mutiny, rebellion, revolt, revolution, and uprising. While all these words mean "an outbreak against authority," 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

In what contexts can mutiny take the place of insurrection?

The synonyms mutiny and insurrection are sometimes interchangeable, but mutiny applies to group insubordination or insurrection especially against naval authority.

a mutiny led by the ship's cook

When is it sensible to use rebellion instead of insurrection?

The words rebellion and insurrection can be used in similar contexts, but rebellion implies an open formidable resistance that is often unsuccessful.

open rebellion against the officers

When can revolution be used instead of insurrection?

While in some cases nearly identical to insurrection, revolution applies to a successful rebellion resulting in a major change (as in government).

a political revolution that toppled the monarchy

When is uprising a more appropriate choice than insurrection?

The meanings of uprising and insurrection largely overlap; however, uprising implies a brief, limited, and often immediately ineffective rebellion.

quickly put down the uprising

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of insurrection But neither the immigration protests in Los Angeles nor the crime rate in DC qualify as an insurrection, by any stretch of the imagination. William Hartung, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025 Yoon is on trial on charges of insurrection, which could result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty. Reuters, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2025 The charge was incitement of insurrection based on his challenge of the 2020 election results and on his speech on January 6. Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2025 The charge was incitement of insurrection based on his challenge of the 2020 election results and on his speech on January 6. Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 8 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for insurrection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insurrection
Noun
  • Then around the time the revolt begins, the intertitles disappear.
    Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Five days later, after a revolt, he was reinstated.
    Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • This summer’s uprising against ICE’s cruelty was just the latest in a long tradition.
    John Lopez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Other notes reference the Gordon Riots — an uprising in 1780 spurred by anti-Catholic sentiment — and the Mohocks, a violent gang of upper-class young men who got drunk and attacked people.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Vance is fresh off a stay in the English countryside, where the staff of popular pub The Bull in Charlbury allegedly threatened a mutiny if they were forced to serve the staunch conservative.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2025
  • So no red eyes, no space mutinies — just words, structured to be helpful.
    Chris Reed, Oc Register, 30 July 2025
Noun
  • As Pietro becomes more impatient with Gatti, hearing about Felice’s losing streak in his nightly phone calls home, Felice is prompted into his first, necessary act of rebellion against his father’s loving but stifling authority.
    Jessica Kiang, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Although the political protests in Los Angeles included some violence, the judge reasoned that the violence did not rise to a rebellion and did not prevent a traditional police response.
    Luke William Hunt, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Insurrection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insurrection. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on insurrection

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