INSURRECTION Synonyms: 21 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

insurrection

noun

ˌin(t)-sə-ˈrek-shən

Definition of insurrection next

as in revolt

open fighting against authority (as one's own government) the famous insurrection of the slaves in ancient Rome under Spartacus

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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

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Recent Examples of insurrection And in a separate memo, the deputy attorney general on Friday also ordered that all FBI agents who were assigned to the Jan. 6 insurrection undergo review. —

Pat Milton, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2025 The suit centered on Meta kicking Trump off Facebook, along with other social media platforms, after the Jan. 6 insurrection. —

Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2025 The lawsuit stemmed from Trump's ban from Facebook and Instagram following the January 6th insurrection. —

James Powel, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025 The House Select Committee that investigated the Jan. 6 insurrection estimated that Trump’s speech drew 53,000 supporters. —

Leonard Greene, The Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for insurrection

Recent Examples of Synonyms for insurrection

Noun

The directive prompted a revolt at the Justice Department that burst into public view when Danielle Sassoon, the acting head of the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District of New York, resigned in protest rather than file a motion seeking to drop the case.

— Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2025
Trump had his first big flop Punctuating the week was the Trump administration’s first big policy setback: the abrupt freeze, and then unfreezing, of federal grant funds amid a public revolt.

— Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025