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
We were fascinated by a broader trend — covered locally by the Chicago Sun-Times and nationally by outlets including CNBC and The New York Times — of people turning the humble 1040 into a form of civil disobedience.
—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Since then, photos and videos from the act of civil disobedience have spread widely across social media — amplified by others who share a similar frustration and unease about the country's military action.
—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
24 Apr. 2026
Generations of Americans spent the first half of the twentieth century sitting at their kitchen tables, performing a small act of civil disobedience every week to save thirty cents on butter.
—
Christian Catalini,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Because civil disobedience and peaceful protest are relatively inexpensive and not as risky as violent resistance.
—
Chris John Amorosino,
Hartford Courant,
16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for civil disobedience
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Since then, photos and videos from the act of civil disobedience have spread widely across social media — amplified by others who share a similar frustration and unease about the country's military action.
—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
24 Apr. 2026
Generations of Americans spent the first half of the twentieth century sitting at their kitchen tables, performing a small act of civil disobedience every week to save thirty cents on butter.
—
Christian Catalini,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Because civil disobedience and peaceful protest are relatively inexpensive and not as risky as violent resistance.
—
Chris John Amorosino,
Hartford Courant,
16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for civil disobedience
Recent Examples of Synonyms for civil disobedience
Noun
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Amid a rebellion over the SAVE Act, Johnson lost control of the House floor for a second time this week, sending lawmakers home early for the July Fourth recess.
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These battles have completely receded from the American imagination, even though, in some ways, the American rebellion was a sideshow to a far greater imperial drama.
Noun
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His clippings included reporting on Black students facing higher rates of suspension for willful defiance and a cover story on Oak Park residents who offered a history of the neighborhood.
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One defendant convicted by a jury continues to engage in noisy defiance.
Noun
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In accordance with the county’s noncooperation policy, the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, which oversees the county’s jail, did not honor a 2023 federal detention request to hold Jalloh in pretrial detention until ICE could assume custody.
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Boycotts are a form of mass noncooperation that enables more people to resist without taking time off from work, engaging in confrontation or risking arrest.
Cite this Entry
“Civil disobedience.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civil%20disobedience. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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