civil disobedience

noun

: refusal to obey governmental demands or commands especially as a nonviolent and usually collective means of forcing concessions from the government

Examples of civil disobedience in a Sentence

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.
Recent Examples on the Web
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What To Know Kollar-Kotelly signed an order to dismiss charges against January 6 defendant Dominic Box, who was initially convicted on felony civil disobedience charges and four misdemeanors. Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for civil disobedience

Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of civil disobedience was in 1866

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Cite this Entry

“Civil disobedience.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civil%20disobedience. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

Legal Definition

civil disobedience

noun
civil dis·​obe·​di·​ence
: refusal to obey governmental demands or commands especially as a nonviolent and usually collective means of forcing concessions from the government

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