rebellion

noun

re·​bel·​lion ri-ˈbel-yən How to pronounce rebellion (audio)
Synonyms of rebellion
1
: opposition to one in authority or dominance
2
a
: open, armed, and usually unsuccessful defiance of or resistance to an established government
b
: an instance of such defiance or resistance

Did you know?

Plenty of teenagers rebel against their parents in all kinds of ways. But a rebellion usually involves a group. Armed rebellions are usually put down by a country's armed forces, or at least kept from expanding beyond a small area. The American War of Independence was first viewed by the British as a minor rebellion that would soon run its course, but this particular rebellion led to a full-fledged revolution--that is, the overthrow of a government. Rebellion, armed or otherwise, has often alerted those in power that those they control are very unhappy.

Synonyms of rebellion

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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 rebellion in a Sentence

The king's army suppressed the rebellion. The unfair tax laws sparked a rebellion. The peasants rose in rebellion. She's the head of a rebellion against the leaders of the party. Recent election losses have led to open rebellion among some party members, who are calling for a complete change of leadership.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
My assumption that the guest speakers’ anti-Communist insurrection might resonate with today’s youth and their antisystem rebellion proved to be mistaken. — Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026 Amid the turmoil of mass student protests in the streets of Belgrade, two young people are bonded by a rash act of rebellion, despite their outwardly incompatible ideologies. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026 Even being on a red carpet, watching all these different bodies on a red carpet, this feels like rebellion to show up with this crew in Hollywood. — Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026 The judges found that protests in Los Angeles did not amount to a rebellion or the danger of one, as required under federal law. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rebellion

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rebellion was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

rebeller
rebellion
rebellious
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Cite this Entry

“Rebellion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rebellion. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

rebellion

noun
re·​bel·​lion ri-ˈbel-yən How to pronounce rebellion (audio)
1
: open opposition to authority
2
: open fighting against authority (as one's government)
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