1 insurrection | Definition of insurrection
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

insurrection

noun
in·​sur·​rec·​tion | \ ËŒin(t)-sÉ™-ˈrek-shÉ™n How to pronounce insurrection (audio) \

Definition of insurrection

: an act or instance of revolting against civil authority or an established government
Other Words from insurrection Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about insurrection

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from insurrection

insurrectional \ ËŒin(t)-​sÉ™-​ˈrek-​shnÉ™l How to pronounce insurrectional (audio) , -​shÉ™-​nᵊl \ adjective
insurrectionary \ ËŒin(t)-​sÉ™-​ˈrek-​shÉ™-​ËŒner-​Ä“ How to pronounce insurrectionary (audio) \ adjective or noun
insurrectionist \ ËŒin(t)-​sÉ™-​ˈrek-​sh(É™-​)nist How to pronounce insurrectionist (audio) \ 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

 British and American leaders feared civil insurrection in Paris and wanted to avoid the risks of pacification, possibly by force, and then feeding and running a city of 4 million, all delaying the assault on Germany itself. — Jean Edward Smith, Washington Post, "The Allies who liberated Paris, and the Nazi who saved it," 22 Aug. 2019 Pat Allen, director of the Oregon Health Authority and overseer of the coordinated care organization (CCO) system, now has a full-fledged insurrection on his hands. — oregonlive.com, "State faces insurrection of Portland hospitals over CCO plan," 16 Aug. 2019 Students have been asked to write essays in the voice of a historical figure of their choosing, and Luce picks Frantz Fanon, a French West Indian political philosopher who advocated that violent insurrection is sometimes justified. — Michael O'sullivan, Twin Cities, "‘Luce’ tackles racial privilege and prejudice by raising a million questions — then refuses to answer any of them," 12 Aug. 2019 Midway through his career, his body launched an insurrection. — Jon Wertheim, SI.com, "Johnny Bench Is Already a Hall-of-Famer, But He's Looking For a New Distinction," 5 July 2018 But so electric was Waters’s take on insurrection, circa 2018, that leaders of her own party censured her. — Rebecca Traister, The Cut, "Summer of Rage," 29 June 2018 Fearing insurrection and separatism, China’s rulers have reinforced techniques of totalitarian control—including the mass detention of Uighurs for re-education—with digital technology. — The Economist, "Does China’s digital police state have echoes in the West?," 31 May 2018 But ugly stuff too: Tesla’s investor insurrection, thanks (in part) to Grimes’ Boyfriend’s indelicate earnings call comments. — Aarian Marshall, WIRED, "This Week in the Future of Cars: Touch and Go," 11 May 2018 From the Stono Rebellion to Nat Turner’s insurrection, here are a few times that enslaved African Americans fought back. — Felice León, The Root, "Three Times American Slaves Did Rebel," 5 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'insurrection.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of insurrection

15th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for insurrection

Middle English insureccion, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin insurrection-, insurrectio, from insurgere

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for insurrection

insurrection

noun
How to pronounce insurrection (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of insurrection

: a usually violent attempt to take control of a government

See the full definition for insurrection in the English Language Learners Dictionary

insurrection

noun
in·​sur·​rec·​tion | \ ËŒin-sÉ™-ˈrek-shÉ™n How to pronounce insurrection (audio) \

Kids Definition of insurrection

: an act or instance of rebelling against a government

insurrection

noun
in·​sur·​rec·​tion | \ ËŒin-sÉ™-ˈrek-shÉ™n How to pronounce insurrection (audio) \

Legal Definition of insurrection

: 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

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!