rebellion

noun re·bel·lion \ri-ˈbel-yən\

: an effort by many people to change the government or leader of a country by the use of protest or violence

: open opposition toward a person or group in authority

: refusal to obey rules or accept normal standards of behavior, dress, etc.

Full Definition of REBELLION

: opposition to one in authority or dominance

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

b : an instance of such defiance or resistance

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First Known Use of REBELLION

14th century

Related to REBELLION

Synonyms: insurgence, insurgency, insurrection, mutiny, outbreak, revolt, revolution, rising, uprising

Antonyms: compliance, obedience, submission, subordinateness, subordination, tractability, tractableness

Synonym Discussion of 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>.

REBELLION Defined for Kids