insurrection

noun

in·​sur·​rec·​tion ˌin(t)-sə-ˈrek-shən How to pronounce insurrection (audio)
: an act or instance of revolting against civil authority or an established government
insurrectional adjective
insurrectionary adjective or noun
insurrectionist noun
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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Cheney was just one of 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach the former president in 2021 following the insurrection. Juliann Ventura, The Hill, 2 Nov. 2024 So far, Trump has declined to commit to the peaceful transfer of power, after having falsely claimed that his 2020 loss was the result of a rigged election, a claim that helped encourage the 2021 insurrection. Fatima Hussein, Twin Cities, 1 Nov. 2024 In January 2021, the company then known as Twitter banned Trump’s account for incitement to violence during the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol. Vittoria Elliott, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024 At the site where former President Donald Trump spoke before the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, Kamala Harris vowed to set the nation on a new course. Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 30 Oct. 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

Cite this Entry

“Insurrection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insurrection. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

insurrection

noun
in·​sur·​rec·​tion ˌin(t)-sə-ˈrek-shən How to pronounce insurrection (audio)
insurrectionary adjective or noun
insurrectionist 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

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