as in revolts
open fighting against authority (as one's own government)
the rebellion would have failed if not for the aid sent by other countries
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Recent Examples of rebellions
There were rebellions, insurrections and an Appian Way lined with crucifixions.
—
Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
By the 19th century China, under the Qing dynasty, had become weakened by internal rebellions, fiscal strain, and the aftermath of the Opium Wars, which exposed its inability to counter the industrialized military methods of the Western imperial powers.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Mar. 2026
The legislation excludes people accused of involvement in military rebellions or coups, as well as those charged with serious crimes such as human-rights violations, intentional homicide, drug trafficking and corruption.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2026
Aren’t rebellions built on hope?
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
Getting the number of defections down to just six members was seen as a major success, and is raising Republicans’ hopes of narrowing down the GOP rebellions on other tariff votes.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 13 Feb. 2026
Here are some notable uses of the Insurrection Act, usually to quell rebellions or in cases where local or state authorities were unable or unwilling to maintain order or uphold the Constitution.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026
Signed by Thomas Jefferson in 1807, Congress originally passed the law in order to help fight citizen rebellions against federal taxes.
—Jennifer Selin, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2026
Worth about $5 million, the Chew Valley Hoard is believed to have been hidden for safekeeping nearly 1,000 years ago, as Saxon rebellions against William the Conqueror roiled England; just under half of the 2,584 coins feature the last Anglo-Saxon king Harold II.
—Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 3 Dec. 2025
Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
By the 19th century China, under the Qing dynasty, had become weakened by internal rebellions, fiscal strain, and the aftermath of the Opium Wars, which exposed its inability to counter the industrialized military methods of the Western imperial powers.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Mar. 2026
The legislation excludes people accused of involvement in military rebellions or coups, as well as those charged with serious crimes such as human-rights violations, intentional homicide, drug trafficking and corruption.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2026
Aren’t rebellions built on hope?
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
Getting the number of defections down to just six members was seen as a major success, and is raising Republicans’ hopes of narrowing down the GOP rebellions on other tariff votes.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 13 Feb. 2026
Here are some notable uses of the Insurrection Act, usually to quell rebellions or in cases where local or state authorities were unable or unwilling to maintain order or uphold the Constitution.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026
Signed by Thomas Jefferson in 1807, Congress originally passed the law in order to help fight citizen rebellions against federal taxes.
—Jennifer Selin, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2026
Worth about $5 million, the Chew Valley Hoard is believed to have been hidden for safekeeping nearly 1,000 years ago, as Saxon rebellions against William the Conqueror roiled England; just under half of the 2,584 coins feature the last Anglo-Saxon king Harold II.
—Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 3 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebellions
Noun
-
After enduring a series of mini-revolts from fans criticizing last spring’s casting announcement and December’s first-look trailer, Survivor 50 has gotten off to an encouraging start.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Almost immediately Rome was plunged into a series of wars, revolts, and plagues.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Arab Spring uprisings of 2011-12 owe much of their origin to a youth bulge in the Middle East.—
John Rennie Short,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2026
-
But like many political uprisings, the meaning of No Kings varies from protester to protester.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There were rebellions, insurrections and an Appian Way lined with crucifixions.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
But the regime, besieged by insurrections across the country, abandoned Manbij.—
Anand Gopal,
New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
That mobility occasionally allowed for communication and coordination during mutinies.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
-
This includes leader assassination attempts by political opponents or lone wolves or mutinies by disgruntled soldiers who might even march on the presidential palace to demand higher pay, promotions or other policy concessions.—
John Joseph Chin,
The Conversation,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rebellions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebellions. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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