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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
The Wave Oscar-winning A Fantastic Woman director Sebastián Lelio’s musical film takes inspiration from a wave of feminist civil disobedience that swept Chile in the spring of 2018.
—
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2025
This book was first brought to my attention by a climate emotions advocate working with Extinction Rebellion, a grassroots movement known for urging climate accountability through nonviolent acts of civil disobedience.
—Rosanna Xia, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2024
Paing Phyo Thu backed civil disobedience against the Junta, offering financial help to staff striking in protest of the military regime.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Sep. 2024
The civil disobedience draws attention to a federal program credited with saving 25 million lives in over 50 countries.
—Samantha Riedel, Them, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for civil disobedience
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2025
This book was first brought to my attention by a climate emotions advocate working with Extinction Rebellion, a grassroots movement known for urging climate accountability through nonviolent acts of civil disobedience.
—Rosanna Xia, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2024
Paing Phyo Thu backed civil disobedience against the Junta, offering financial help to staff striking in protest of the military regime.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Sep. 2024
The civil disobedience draws attention to a federal program credited with saving 25 million lives in over 50 countries.
—Samantha Riedel, Them, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for civil disobedience
Recent Examples of Synonyms for civil disobedience
Noun
-
That small rebellion becomes a bigger one when the course introduces her to a pack of younger friends, including 20something hunk Sean (Nico Hiraga).—
Angie Han,
The Hollywood Reporter,
12 Mar. 2025
-
The series, which premieres its second season April 22 on Disney+, thrusts viewers back into the heart of the galactic rebellion.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The mug shot has become one of the most infamous photos of the president and is a symbol of defiance for both Trump and his supporters.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
-
In response, Trump's administration has launched investigation against four of those states – California, Minnesota, Massachusetts and Maine – over potential Title IX violations for their continued defiance of the order.—
Jackson Thompson,
Fox News,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
According to Macron, these rebukes and threats of noncooperation from the U.S. in the face of military danger felt like a shock to the system.—
Ailia Zehra,
The Hill,
17 Feb. 2025
-
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 21 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share