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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in defiance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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 updates the Empire from a vague and cartoonishly evil dictatorship to a mundane evil, one that is so oppressive in everyday life, in casual cruelty that rebellion becomes not a choice, but a necessity. —

Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2025 And what if he had instead been gifted the gladiator school once owned by Batiatus in return for aiding the Romans in killing Spartacus, putting an end to the slave rebellion? —

Tony Maglio, IndieWire, 15 Jan. 2025 While the protagonist helps those in need in the beginning, the Yellow Turbans are quickly posed as an enemy to suppress; some of them have used the rebellion as a means to cause riots for personal gain, losing track of their initial goals. —

Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2025 Known for his unflinching explorations of youth culture, addiction, and rebellion, Clark first gained recognition with Tulsa, a book of photography documenting teenage drug use and disaffected lifestyles in his hometown. —

Matt Grobar, Deadline, 13 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for rebellion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebellion

Noun

What holds back CEOs and political leaders is the same thing: fear, fear of bad headlines or big revolts.

— Axios, Axios, 20 Jan. 2025
When their tour group takes a train ride in first class, Benji revolts.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2025