REBELLION Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

rebellion

noun

ri-ˈbel-yən

Definition of rebellion next

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

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as in defiance

refusal to obey the period of rebellion that teenagers typically go through

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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 The paper concluded that authoritarian regimes founded by fractured rebel groups were usually short-lived, as armed rivals defected and staged new rebellions. —

Robin Wright, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2024 Muslim Brotherhood fighters launched a coordinated attack on government buildings, military barracks, and Ba’ath Party offices and declared the city an autonomous zone, encouraging an open rebellion against Assad. —

Sefa Secen / Made By History, TIME, 17 Dec. 2024 Law enforcement institutions are investigating Yoon and others involved in the martial law case over possible rebellion and other allegations. —

Hyung-Jin Kim and Kim Tong-Hyung, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2024 The combination of her influence, teenage rebellion and the blueprints left by his favorite artists gave him a confidence that became foundational. —

Rembert Browne, Billboard, 11 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rebellion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebellion

Noun

The House descended into chaos Wednesday when the GOP revolt sank a last-minute funding measure to keep the government operating through early next year.

Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2024
So far, three of them—the former al Qaeda affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led the revolt, and two militias in southern Syria—have issued statements pledging their support for international efforts to eliminate the country’s remaining chemical weapons.

Gregory D. Koblentz, Foreign Affairs, 19 Dec. 2024