Synonyms of rebellion

rebellion

noun

ri-ˈbel-yən 

1

as in revolt

open fighting against authority (as one's own government)

the rebellion would have failed if not for the aid sent by other countries

Synonyms & Similar Words

• revolt
• insurrection
• uprising
• mutiny
• insurgency
• revolution
• insurgence
• outbreak
• coup
• overthrow
• rising
• treachery
• sedition
• treason
• coup d'état
• subversion
• sabotage
• coup d'etat
• misprision

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• counterinsurgency
• counterrevolution

2

as in defiance

refusal to obey

the period of rebellion that teenagers typically go through

Synonyms & Similar Words

• defiance
• rebelliousness
• willfulness
• disobedience
• disrespect
• insubordination
• contrariness
• waywardness
• unruliness
• contumacy
• rudeness
• recalcitrance
• intractability
• refractoriness
• stubbornness
• frowardness
• balkiness
• civil disobedience
• obstreperousness
• noncooperation
• insolence
• perversity
• obstinacy
• self-will
• impudence
• inconsiderateness
• tenacity
• peevishness
• impoliteness
• inconsideration
• obduracy
• pigheadedness
• pertinacity
• naughtiness
• doggedness
• mischievousness
• impertinence
• ungraciousness
• tenaciousness
• hardheadedness
• discourteousness
• knavery
• obdurateness
• mulishness
• obstinateness
• pertinaciousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• obedience
• subordination
• submission
• compliance
• tractability
• subservience
• amiability
• submissiveness
• amenability
• subserviency
• agreeability
• slavishness
• tractableness
• subordinateness
• deference
• docility
• trainability
• dutifulness

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun rebellion differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of rebellion are insurrection, mutiny, revolt, revolution, and uprising. While all these words mean "an outbreak against authority," rebellion implies an open formidable resistance that is often unsuccessful.

open rebellion against the officers

Where would mutiny be a reasonable alternative to rebellion?

The words mutiny and rebellion can be used in similar contexts, but mutiny applies to group insubordination or insurrection especially against naval authority.

a mutiny led by the ship's cook

How do revolt and insurrection relate to one another, in the sense of rebellion?

Both revolt and insurrection imply an armed uprising that quickly fails or succeeds.

a revolt by the Young Turks that surprised party leaders

an insurrection of oppressed laborers

When might revolution be a better fit than rebellion?

The words revolution and rebellion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, revolution applies to a successful rebellion resulting in a major change (as in government).

a political revolution that toppled the monarchy

In what contexts can uprising take the place of rebellion?

While in some cases nearly identical to rebellion, uprising implies a brief, limited, and often immediately ineffective rebellion.

quickly put down the uprising

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rebellion

In the pic, Garfield plays a legendary leader of a ferocious rebellion against the tyranny of King Richard II. —Justin Kroll, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025

Yet there was no rebellion, nor was civilian law enforcement unable to respond to the protests and enforce the law. —Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025

Fulfill a procreation contract with a handsome member of the ruling class or join a magnetically attractive outcast in a brewing rebellion. —Lizz Schumer, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025

Their awakening to the realities of their minds and bodies is to the adults around them a form of rebellion that must be quashed. —David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025