insurrection

noun

in·​sur·​rec·​tion ˌin(t)-sə-ˈrek-shən How to pronounce insurrection (audio)
Synonyms of insurrectionnext
: an act or instance of revolting against civil authority or an established government
insurrectional
ˌin(t)-sə-ˈrek-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce insurrection (audio)
adjective
insurrectionary
ˌin(t)-sə-ˈrek-shə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce insurrection (audio)
adjective or noun
insurrectionist
ˌin(t)-sə-ˈrek-sh(ə-)nist How to pronounce insurrection (audio)
noun

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
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
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.
Witches on TikTok and Instagram similarly hexed Trump and his supporters in the wake of the January 6, 2021 insurrection. —Vittoria Elliott, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2024 The current Republican nominee did not accept acknowledge that Biden would take over until less than two weeks from the inauguration and after the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. —Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 20 Nov. 2024 This culminated in the insurrection of Jan. 6, 2021. —Michael Szalma, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Nov. 2024 And in 2021, after January 6th, it was anticipated that the insurrection attempt would come back to haunt Trump. —Natalie McCormick, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for insurrection 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of insurrection was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near insurrection

insurrect

insurrection

insurrectionally

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Insurrection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insurrection. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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Kids Definition

insurrection

noun
in·​sur·​rec·​tion ˌin(t)-sə-ˈrek-shən How to pronounce insurrection (audio)
: rebellion sense 2
insurrectionary
-shə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce insurrection (audio)
adjective or noun
insurrectionist
-sh(ə-)nəst How to pronounce insurrection (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

insurrection

noun
in·​sur·​rec·​tion ˌin-sə-ˈrek-shən How to pronounce insurrection (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on insurrection

Nglish: Translation of insurrection for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of insurrection for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about insurrection

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