rebellion

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

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 rebellion Yoon, a former top prosecutor, now stands a criminal trial on rebellion charges connection with his martial law decree. Time, 24 Apr. 2025 In a world where confidence is often rewarded over clarity, choosing humility becomes a quiet form of rebellion and personal evolution. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025 What begins as an exploration of the rebellion and freedom within this subculture evolves into a profound narrative of identity, loss, and healing. Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 23 Apr. 2025 The profits, in turn, are used to fund the rebellion. Nicolas Niarchos, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rebellion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebellion
Noun
  • This historic protest inaugurated a summer of 300 to 500 barricades across France, establishing the tractor blockade as a symbol of agricultural revolt.
    Made by History, Time, 25 Apr. 2025
  • However, the worse the prison’s conditions become — as the workers are forced to slave away on secret Death Star parts with no promise of release — the more Kino is pushed to join Cassian and his brewing prisoner revolt.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Man Utd fans explain their song of defiance United fans have turned to Bonnie Tyler in a season of heartache Mikel Arteta, Arsenal Mikel Arteta has been reluctant to discuss his own musical tastes publicly.
    The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The students and faculty who are protesting in peaceful defiance of these senseless and often cruel actions should be commended for their conviction.
    Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Users have convened on 4chan to plan hacks like DDoS attacks, and conspiracy theories that festered on 4chan even reportedly inspired the January 6 insurrection at the United States Capitol.
    Matt Burgess, Wired News, 15 Apr. 2025
  • With military support from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain’s Sunni dictator Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa survived a Shiite insurrection.
    Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Arrested repeatedly since the height of the Egyptian uprising in 2011, he was sentenced in 2021 to an additional five years in prison for spreading false news and assaulting a police officer – charges that human rights organizations say were politically motivated.
    Mounira Elsamra, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Rather than the epic battles of good vs. evil that ground the Skywalker saga, Andor's focus is the human cost of rebellion and harsh realities of a prolonged uprising against an authoritarian regime.
    Megan McCluskey, Time, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • It has been used to punish mutinies and desertion in armies, as frontier justice in America's Old West and as a tool of terror and political repression in the former Soviet Union and Nazi Germany.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Which brings me back to the confusion and the mutiny.
    Jim Cramer, CNBC, 2 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Alleging disobedience, among other claimed doctrinal infractions, the OCA excommunicated the Homyks and longtime parish council leader Rivera.
    Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Outright disobedience is exceedingly rare.
    Hurubie Meko, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • April 21, 2025 Regardless of one’s position on the war in Ukraine, the president has shown a stunning disrespect for a world leader, an unprecedented bow to Russia’s leader, and a complete disregard for diplomacy.
    Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 26 Apr. 2025
  • The vice president accused Ukraine's leader of showing disrespect to the president and of insufficient gratitude to the U.S. for its help.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rebellion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebellion. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on rebellion

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!