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 Andor is a complex tale of rebellion and revolution across a vast sci-fi galaxy, so there’s a lot to keep track of — especially since season two is coming out a few years after season one. James Grebey, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2025 This moment rooted in history, rebellion and redefinition meant something special, especially for those of us who’ve witnessed her evolution from day one. Dontaira Terrell, Refinery29, 30 Apr. 2025 For the dandy, fashion was a vehicle for both self-expression and a subtle form of rebellion against societal norms. Ty Gaskins, Vogue, 29 Apr. 2025 The story finds Plutarch Heavensbee — a future Head Gamemaker and rebellion leader — in District 12, for the reaping of tributes. Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 25 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rebellion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebellion
Noun
  • History shows that conclaves have ranged from a matter of hours to nearly three years, shaped by intrigue, deadlock, and even popular revolt.
    Dan Cody, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025
  • And then, the third attempt was to carry out the revolt, which again fails.
    Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 5 May 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
  • In many respects, the film already feels out of date, mostly covering Trump’s crimes during his first term as well as the January 6 Capitol insurrection rather than dipping into the more flagrant fascism of his past few months back in office.
    Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 17 May 2025
  • The former co-chair of Lawyers for Trump, Dhillon backed Trump’s efforts to challenge the 2020 election and also was among those defending him against a Colorado lawsuit arguing he should be barred from running for office due to leading an insurrection.
    Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The nation has fixed its eye on the protests: the film’s opening sequence shows denunciations of the uprisings from both conservative and liberal news media.
    Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 17 May 2025
  • The uprising has set the country on a new path, with an interim government, led by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, preparing to hold elections by early next year.
    Simon Montlake, Christian Science Monitor, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • There were some other problems early on as well, but what a difference a mutiny makes.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 15 May 2025
  • This led to a mutiny among the sailors and the enslaved people — after which around 650 people remained.
    Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • In 2016, a British passenger flying Flybe—a now-defunct regional airline—from Amsterdam to Exeter was fined more than $600 for his disobedience.
    Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2025
  • The one who escalated the disobedience was the company under the direct command of its largest shareholder.
    Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Recognizing when jokes mask disrespect is not about becoming overly cautious or humorless, but about ensuring that laughter contributes to connection, rather than corrosion.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
  • Our child's protest isn't a sign of disrespect or defiance.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 29 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rebellion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebellion. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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