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

• insurgence
• insurgency
• mutiny
• outbreak
• rebellion
• revolt
• revolution
• rising
• uprising

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

Related video Chechen leader condemns Prigozhin’s insurrection In response, Kadyrov said there were no gay people in his republic, and that if there were any they should be taken away from the region. —Jack Guy, CNN, 8 Apr. 2024

Aubry Tourvel is not only miserable wandering the world in exile, but also engaged in her own little insurrection against forces larger than herself. —Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 1 Apr. 2024

The morning after the Capitol insurrection, Kim went to the Rotunda to bag garbage. —E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2024

The police force is struggling to stave off an insurrection by heavily armed gangs. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2024

Truth Social launched in 2022, just over a year after Trump was booted from Twitter over his tweets during the Jan. 6th insurrection. —Maxwell Zeff / Gizmodo, Quartz, 22 Mar. 2024

As proposed in the Safeguarding National Security Bill, the new law expands the government’s power to stamp out future challenges to its rule, punishing treason and insurrection with up to life imprisonment. —Kanis Leung, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Mar. 2024

The accusations of insurrection against Griffin were filed on behalf of three New Mexico residents by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a left-leaning group that also brought the lawsuit in Colorado to disqualify Trump. —Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 19 Mar. 2024

Griffin, who was given a 14-day jail sentence, told the Supreme Court the events on Jan. 6 were not an insurrection and barring him from holding office is a violation of his First Amendment rights. —USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024

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

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