Insurrection

/ˌɪnsəˈrɛkʃən/

nounmediumCommonGeneral

Definitions

1

An act or instance of rising in revolt, rebellion, or resistance against civil authority or an established government.

/ˌɪnsəˈrɛkʃən/

nounnegativemedium
General

An act of revolt or rebellion

The insurrection led to a period of civil unrest and violence.

💡 Simply: Think of it like a big group of people saying, 'We're not following the rules anymore!' and trying to take over or change things.

👶 For kids: When a bunch of people try to take over the government.

More Examples

2

The leader was accused of inciting an insurrection against the ruling regime.

3

The army was deployed to quell the insurrection.

How It's Used

Political Science

"The government suppressed the armed insurrection swiftly."

History

"The Boston Tea Party was a significant event in the lead-up to the American insurrection."

Idioms & expressions

to incite insurrection

To encourage or provoke others to rebel or revolt.

"The inflammatory speech was believed to incite insurrection among the disaffected citizens."

to quell an insurrection

To suppress or put down a rebellion.

"The government deployed troops to quell the insurrection and restore order."

From Latin *insurrectio* ('a rising up'), from *insurgere* ('to rise up'), from *in-* ('in, on') + *surgere* ('to rise').

The word 'insurrection' has been used since the 16th century, often in legal and political contexts.

Memory tip

Imagine a rising sun as a symbol of rebellion – the *in* (in) *surrection* (rising).

insurectioninsurrecion

Usage

30%Spoken
70%Written