Synonyms of insurrection

insurrection

noun

ˌin(t)-sə-ˈrek-shən 

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

• revolt
• uprising
• mutiny
• rebellion
• insurgency
• revolution
• insurgence
• outbreak
• coup
• overthrow
• treachery
• rising
• sedition
• treason
• coup d'état
• sabotage
• subversion
• coup d'etat
• misprision

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• counterinsurgency
• counterrevolution

Synonym Chooser

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

Recent Examples of insurrection

Mangia was among those charged with participating in the Jan. 6 insurrection. —Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025

Newsom later quoted the X post with pictures rioters from the Jan. 6 insurrection storming the US Capitol in 2021 holding American flags. —Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 11 June 2025

Later Tuesday, Johnson said the violence in Los Angeles is not comparable to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, and said Trump's mass pardons of Jan. 6 rioters were not hypocritical. —Lauren Peller, ABC News, 10 June 2025

Although Tarrio himself was not in Washington D.C. on Jan. 6, the Department of Justice viewed him as one of the masterminds of the insurrection. —Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 12 June 2025