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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 civil disobedience
Graffitiing the church over its support of the state of Israel is not civil disobedience, Whelchel said.
—
Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 2025
In what circumstances could civil disobedience ever be justified if not now?
—Dan Sheehan, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2025
With every new wave of protest, every strike, and every act of civil disobedience, the regime's response is not reform, but repression.
—Tom Ridge, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025
That act of civil disobedience led to her disbarment, said her brother, Steve Ward of St. Paul’s East Side.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for civil disobedience
Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 2025
In what circumstances could civil disobedience ever be justified if not now?
—Dan Sheehan, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2025
With every new wave of protest, every strike, and every act of civil disobedience, the regime's response is not reform, but repression.
—Tom Ridge, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025
That act of civil disobedience led to her disbarment, said her brother, Steve Ward of St. Paul’s East Side.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for civil disobedience
Recent Examples of Synonyms for civil disobedience
Noun
-
While details of Gatwa’s character are not yet known, Erivo’s Jayne is described as a trailblazing fairy whose defiant streak sparks a rebellion.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
8 Nov. 2025
-
From its beginning, the leaders of the rebellion well understood the global reach and resonance of their great struggle.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Seeing women of diverse ages walk with such confidence—owning their scars, flat reconstructions or their choice to remain flat—was a powerful act of defiance.—
Tabitha Britt,
Flow Space,
30 Oct. 2025
-
There’s a smell in the air right now — solder, espresso and defiance.—
Bob Bonniol,
Rolling Stone,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Some might argue that for middle America conditions are not yet painful enough, socially or economically, to inspire sustained noncooperation.—
Michael Shank,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Any entity receiving city funding, such as contractors, would have to follow the city’s warrant and noncooperation standards.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Civil disobedience.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civil%20disobedience. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share