as in rebellion
refusal to obey laws as a way of forcing the government to do or change something
In an act of civil disobedience, the family sent its tax money to an antiwar organization. A student organization is encouraging civil disobedience as a way to get the university to change its policies.
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Recent Examples of civil disobedience
The Wave Oscar-winning A Fantastic Woman director Sebastián Lelio’s musical film takes inspiration from a wave of feminist civil disobedience that swept Chile in the spring of 2018.
—
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2025
This book was first brought to my attention by a climate emotions advocate working with Extinction Rebellion, a grassroots movement known for urging climate accountability through nonviolent acts of civil disobedience.
—Rosanna Xia, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2024
Paing Phyo Thu backed civil disobedience against the Junta, offering financial help to staff striking in protest of the military regime.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Sep. 2024
The civil disobedience draws attention to a federal program credited with saving 25 million lives in over 50 countries.
—Samantha Riedel, Them, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for civil disobedience
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2025
This book was first brought to my attention by a climate emotions advocate working with Extinction Rebellion, a grassroots movement known for urging climate accountability through nonviolent acts of civil disobedience.
—Rosanna Xia, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2024
Paing Phyo Thu backed civil disobedience against the Junta, offering financial help to staff striking in protest of the military regime.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Sep. 2024
The civil disobedience draws attention to a federal program credited with saving 25 million lives in over 50 countries.
—Samantha Riedel, Them, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for civil disobedience
Recent Examples of Synonyms for civil disobedience
Noun
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Or just a brilliant disguise?’ - from Brilliant Disguise Rock 'n' roll has always embodied rebellion and dissent.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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Set in the Alentejo region of southern Portugal, where Mateus was raised, a peasant community of grape-pickers become agents in an open-air ritual of remembrance and rebellion.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Atul Gawande, former Assistant Administrator for Global Health at USAID, wrote on X that 5,800 USAID contracts have been terminated in defiance of the courts.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
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The strange particulars of his passing remain a mystery thus far, but Hackman’s life was lived in quiet defiance of Hollywood fame and the strictures of celebrity.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Each campus should follow state law and guidelines regarding noncooperation with ICE and/or other federal entities.—
Isidro Ortiz,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Feb. 2025
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In addition, state-level politicians, including attorneys general and governors, have repeatedly demonstrated their willingness to challenge federal overreach through litigation and noncooperation.—
Victor Menaldo,
The Conversation,
16 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Civil disobedience.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civil%20disobedience. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
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