rebellion

[ri-bel-yuhn]

noun

1. open, organized, and armed resistance to one's government or ruler.

   Synonyms: sedition, mutiny

2. resistance to or defiance of any authority, control, or tradition.

   Synonyms: disobedience, insubordination

3. the act of rebelling.

rebellion

/ rɪˈbɛljən /

noun

1. organized resistance or opposition to a government or other authority

2. dissent from an accepted moral code or convention of behaviour, dress, etc

Other Word Forms

• nonrebellion noun
• prerebellion adjective
• semirebellion noun
• subrebellion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rebellion¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English rebellioun, from Old French, from Latin rebelliōn-, stem of rebelliō; equivalent to rebel + -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of rebellion¹

C14: via Old French from Latin rebelliō revolt (of those conquered); see _rebel

Example Sentences

“There was no rebellion, nor was civilian law enforcement unable to respond to the protests and enforce the law. In short, defendants violated the Posse Comitatus Act.”

From Salon

After a series of Labour parliamentary rebellions before the summer break, many in government are also expecting Sir Keir to soon begin a reshuffle of his junior ministers.

From BBC

The agrarian rebellion of the 1880s and 1890s was led by farmers at a time when literacy was far from universal and rural areas were incredibly isolated by today’s standards.

From Salon

Rather than being seen as an "act of rebellion" such flags should be "welcomed", she wrote in the Daily Mail.

From BBC

In a space built for consumption, making an authentic, healthy choice becomes an act of rebellion.

From Salon

Related Words

• dissent 
• insurgency 
• insurrection 
• revolution 
• uprising 

When To Use

What does rebellion mean?

A rebellion is an attempt to overthrow a government—an organized revolution.It can also refer to a revolt against another form of authority. More generally, rebellion can refer to an action or behavior that resists or defies rules or norms or otherwise challenges the status quo.The verb rebel means to engage in rebellion. As a noun, rebel can refer to a revolutionary or to a person who is defiant or disobedient. Such a defiant person can be called rebellious, and the noun rebelliousness refers to such behavior. Rebellion can also refer to this, as in I went through a phase of teenage rebellion.Example: The rebellion is being led by a coalition of factions that all have the same goal—to topple the regime.