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 Foreign funders of an insurrection interfered in our domestic affairs from the start. Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2025 The charge of masterminding insurrection faced by the impeached leader is punishable by life imprisonment or even death, although South Korea has not executed anyone in decades. Joyce Lee, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025 He is officially accused of insurrection and now will stand trial. Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025 Yoon remained defiant at his impeachment trial, claiming that he was being framed for insurrection by his political enemies — and that his declaration of martial law was intended as a plea for public attention. Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for insurrection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insurrection
Noun
  • History shows that conclaves have ranged from a matter of hours to nearly three years, shaped by intrigue, deadlock, and even popular revolt.
    Dan Cody, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025
  • And then, the third attempt was to carry out the revolt, which again fails.
    Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 5 May 2025
Noun
  • The nation has fixed its eye on the protests: the film’s opening sequence shows denunciations of the uprisings from both conservative and liberal news media.
    Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 17 May 2025
  • The uprising has set the country on a new path, with an interim government, led by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, preparing to hold elections by early next year.
    Simon Montlake, Christian Science Monitor, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • There were some other problems early on as well, but what a difference a mutiny makes.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 15 May 2025
  • This led to a mutiny among the sailors and the enslaved people — after which around 650 people remained.
    Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • After leading some of his fellow players in an uprising against the games, Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) sees his rebellion instantly squashed.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • Welcome to Screen Gab, the newsletter for everyone who is waiting for the weekend to join the rebellion.
    Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Insurrection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insurrection. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on insurrection

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