rebellion

noun

re·​bel·​lion ri-ˈbel-yən 

1

: opposition to one in authority or dominance

2

a

: open, armed, and usually unsuccessful defiance of or resistance to an established government

b

: an instance of such defiance or resistance

Did you know?

Plenty of teenagers rebel against their parents in all kinds of ways. But a rebellion usually involves a group. Armed rebellions are usually put down by a country's armed forces, or at least kept from expanding beyond a small area. The American War of Independence was first viewed by the British as a minor rebellion that would soon run its course, but this particular rebellion led to a full-fledged revolution--that is, the overthrow of a government. Rebellion, armed or otherwise, has often alerted those in power that those they control are very unhappy.

Synonyms

• insurgence
• insurgency
• insurrection
• mutiny
• outbreak
• revolt
• revolution
• rising
• uprising

Choose the Right Synonym for rebellion

rebellion, revolution, uprising, revolt, insurrection, mutiny mean an outbreak against authority.

rebellion implies an open formidable resistance that is often unsuccessful.

open rebellion against the officers

revolution applies to a successful rebellion resulting in a major change (as in government).

a political revolution that toppled the monarchy

uprising implies a brief, limited, and often immediately ineffective rebellion.

quickly put down the uprising

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

mutiny applies to group insubordination or insurrection especially against naval authority.

a mutiny led by the ship's cook

Examples of rebellion in a Sentence

The king's army suppressed the rebellion.

The unfair tax laws sparked a rebellion.

The peasants rose in rebellion.

She's the head of a rebellion against the leaders of the party.

Recent election losses have led to open rebellion among some party members, who are calling for a complete change of leadership.

Recent Examples on the Web

The hit show returns with its sixth and final season on April 8, and audiences should brace for an explosive finale as the rebellion in Gilead finally ignites. —Abigail Lee, Variety, 5 Apr. 2025

The title is borrowed from Elizabeth Alexander’s fourth collection persona poems, historical narratives, jazz riffs, sonnets, elegies, and a sequence of ars poetica which examines the Black experience through the lens of the slave rebellion on the Amistad and nineteenth-century American art. —Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025

House Republican leaders on Tuesday canceled votes for the rest of the week after a band of GOP lawmakers staged a rebellion on the floor, bringing legislative action to a screeching halt. —Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 2 Apr. 2025

There are twice as many tributes (48: two boys and two girls from each district) for this year’s bloodbath, an annual event wherein children and teenagers are forced to fight to the death as a reminder of the districts’ failed rebellion against the Capitol. —Jessica Wang, EW.com, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

rebellion

noun

re·​bel·​lion ri-ˈbel-yən 

1

: open opposition to authority

2

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