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
In a surprising number of cases, organizers defeated polluters through a combination of litigation, civil disobedience and other protests, and by pressuring banks, insurers and big investors.
—
Kevin A. Young, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2025
This escalated the backlash against the Navy’s presence on the island, prompting massive protests, acts of civil disobedience, and encampments.
—Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2025
In practice, that means some borrowers working at nonprofits focused on immigration rights, civil disobedience advocacy, climate action, or other causes could find their employment disqualified from PSLF.
—Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
So are acts of peaceful civil disobedience.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for civil disobedience
Kevin A. Young, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2025
This escalated the backlash against the Navy’s presence on the island, prompting massive protests, acts of civil disobedience, and encampments.
—Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2025
In practice, that means some borrowers working at nonprofits focused on immigration rights, civil disobedience advocacy, climate action, or other causes could find their employment disqualified from PSLF.
—Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
So are acts of peaceful civil disobedience.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for civil disobedience
Recent Examples of Synonyms for civil disobedience
Noun
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His relationship with Elisabeth Moss’ June was a complicated matter that involved fathering one of her children, assisting her efforts to escape from/bring down Gilead and then betraying her at a crucial point in the rebellion.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
20 May 2025
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In 1998, people all over the country commemorated the rebellion, though the sectarian divisions and the violence of the Troubles loomed large.—
Joseph Patrick Kelly,
The Conversation,
20 May 2025
Noun
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That record of defiance in the face of threats to his freedom and safety alone would be astonishing, but the work itself, shot in secret, has also been fascinating — slippery, introspective, daring, and unbearably moving.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
13 May 2025
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Despite his public defiance, the court’s ruling marks a significant financial and legal defeat for the rapper, as the sale of his home is expected to partially satisfy the judgment against him.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
6 May 2025
Noun
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These movements used many different tools at their disposal — lawsuits, mass rallies, strikes, work slowdowns, boycotts and other forms of noncooperation and resistance.—
David Brooks,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Civil disobedience.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civil%20disobedience. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
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