rebellion

Definition of rebellionnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun rebellion differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of rebellion are insurrection, mutiny, revolt, revolution, and uprising. While all these words mean "an outbreak against authority," rebellion implies an open formidable resistance that is often unsuccessful.

open rebellion against the officers

Where would mutiny be a reasonable alternative to rebellion?

The words mutiny and rebellion can be used in similar contexts, but mutiny applies to group insubordination or insurrection especially against naval authority.

a mutiny led by the ship's cook

How do revolt and insurrection relate to one another, in the sense of rebellion?

Both 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

When might revolution be a better fit than rebellion?

The words revolution and rebellion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, revolution applies to a successful rebellion resulting in a major change (as in government).

a political revolution that toppled the monarchy

In what contexts can uprising take the place of rebellion?

While in some cases nearly identical to rebellion, uprising implies a brief, limited, and often immediately ineffective rebellion.

quickly put down the uprising

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of rebellion In Calabasas, where desires are never as clean as appearances suggest, falling in love might be the most dangerous rebellion of all. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 May 2026 In addition, more than 70 of his own MPs have told him to quit and several ministerial aides have resigned, with Starmer's 'make-or-break' speech yesterday failing to quell the growing rebellion. Katie Foley, CNBC, 12 May 2026 In contrast to contemporaries like Mary Quant, whose miniskirts signaled youth and rebellion, Courrèges’ approach was rooted in utility. Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 12 May 2026 Iran on Tuesday executed a man convicted of armed rebellion, the judiciary said, the latest in a wave of hangings since war broke out with the United States and Israel. CBS News, 12 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for rebellion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebellion
Noun
  • After the fallout over the Epstein files’ revelations on Mandelson, Rayner led a lawmakers’ revolt to force the government to cede control to Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee to decide which documents should be released into the public domain.
    ABC News, ABC News, 14 May 2026
  • Trump is facing something of a revolt at home.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
Noun
  • The battle wasn't really over, though, as Jamie was shot and killed in a final act of defiance from the British.
    Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
  • Rather than performing as defiance against repression, Vahdat sees singing as an act of strength, resilience and self-protection.
    Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • Trump then referred to his $5 billion lawsuit against the BBC, over edits made in a 2024 documentary on the January 6 insurrection.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 15 May 2026
  • But for those less familiar—say, a teenager who was just 10 when the January 6 insurrection happened—the museum does not guide.
    Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • The pseudo-goth hair and costume choices speak to an inner rebelliousness that isn’t so much unleashed as forced loose by a system that values the appearance of a mythical impartiality over her humanity, leaving her with little recourse but to step outside the confines of the law.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 23 Feb. 2026
  • The natural obstinacy and rebelliousness of Israa’s teenage years are hyperaccelerated by culture clashes with both her family and the other kids around her.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • In January, 2019, amid the popular uprising that would ultimately dissolve Bashir’s government, Ibrahim’s employer assisted the family in obtaining visas and plane tickets to Jordan.
    Annie Hylton, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
  • Cody Bellinger then grounded into a forceout that produced a run, Amed Rosario got an RBI on an infield hit and Grisham capped the uprising with his sixth home run.
    ABC News, ABC News, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • Those leaders who ignore or flout the law aren’t merely unethical but fatally arrogant, putting their childish willfulness over the wisdom of generations.
    David Brooks, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Though the Durutti Column had been a disaster, Wilson was fascinated by the guitarist, who admired punk’s willfulness even though his own musical taste tended toward jazz, blues, and the classical tradition.
    Brad Shoup, Pitchfork, 24 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The only real threat to Putin’s authority came a year into the war, when Yevgeniy Prigozhin, the founder of Wagner, a Russian paramilitary organization, launched a mutiny directed against Russia’s military leadership.
    Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
  • That’s when three-term incumbent Richard Woods will face four Republican challengers and a mutiny among GOP lawmakers, giving him what could be the toughest election he’s ever faced.
    Patricia Murphy, AJC.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • He was also booked on fresh charges of felony vandalism, battery against a former dating partner and willful disobedience of a court order.
    Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2026
  • On Wednesday, dissident artists Pussy Riot stormed the Russian pavilion while waving Ukrainian flags and calling for disobedience.
    News Desk, Artforum, 6 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rebellion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebellion. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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