insurrection
Americannoun
noun
Usage
Why is insurrection trending? On January 6, 2021, lookups for the word insurrection skyrocketed 22,358% on Dictionary.com after a mob of supporters of Donald Trump stormed the U. S. Capitol building on the day Congress was set to certify the electoral vote count to confirm Joe Biden’s presidential election victory. Some journalists, political analysts, and politicians used the word insurrection to refer to the events that occurred in the nation’s capital.https://twitter.com/BernieSanders/status/1346960922615685121https://twitter.com/nytimes/status/1346971096017297410
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of insurrection
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Late Latin insurrēctiōn-, stem of insurrēctiō, from insurrēct(us) “risen up, rebelled” (past participle of insurgere “to get up, ascend, rebel”; see insurgent) + -iō -ion
Explanation
Insurrection is an uprising against a larger force that's in power. An insurrection can lead to revolution, but it is just as likely to be put down. Other words for insurrection include "rebellion," "revolt," and "uprising," the last of which is the translation of insurrection's Latin roots. The Boston Tea Party is probably the most famous American act of insurrection. One who rises up in insurrection is called an insurgent by the force they are rising against. Like Paul Revere, insurgents are often called heroes by the people they are rising up to support.
Vocabulary lists containing insurrection
The Constitution of the United States
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Born a Crime
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"The Declaration of Independence," Vocabulary from the historical document
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Insurrection Act is a law that authorizes the president to use the military for civilian law-enforcement purposes in the U.S. in a narrow set of circumstances.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 15, 2026
The Insurrection Act is a 19th Century law that allows active-duty military personnel to be deployed for law enforcement duties inside the US.
From BBC • Jan. 15, 2026
There are a few narrow exceptions—namely, the Insurrection Act, which applies only during an insurrection, invasion, or complete breakdown of civilian law enforcement.
From Slate • Dec. 23, 2025
His claim was false: The Insurrection Act has been invoked by only 15 presidents, typically in response to civil unrest.
From Salon • Oct. 20, 2025
The old earl Insurrection in the north and west. set himself to subdue Yorkshire; his son Hotspur and the earl of Douglas marched south and opened communication with the Welsh.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 5 English History by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
