civil disobedience

noun

Definition of civil disobediencenext
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as in rebellion
refusal to obey laws as a way of forcing the government to do or change something 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.

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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 civil disobedience Earlier this year, a food strike at FPC Montgomery, a minimum security camp, led to over 30 prisoners being transferred for their civil disobedience associated with the protest. — Walter Pavlo, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024 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 See All Example Sentences for civil disobedience
Recent Examples of Synonyms for civil disobedience
  1. rebellion
  2. defiance
  3. noncooperation
Noun
  • As Frederick Douglass noted in a June 1854 newspaper editorial, however, many Americans praised Henry’s phrase and the violent rebellion against British oppression while simultaneously decrying violent resistance to slavery.
    — Cassandra Good, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Wouldn't that seed resentment and the beginnings of the exact rebellion that takes place?
    — Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of rebellion
Noun
  • The mug shot has become one of the most infamous photos of the president and is a symbol of defiance for both Trump and his supporters.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
  • In response, Trump's administration has launched investigation against four of those states – California, Minnesota, Massachusetts and Maine – over potential Title IX violations for their continued defiance of the order.
    — Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of defiance
Noun
  • According to Macron, these rebukes and threats of noncooperation from the U.S. in the face of military danger felt like a shock to the system.
    — Ailia Zehra, The Hill, 17 Feb. 2025
  • Each campus should follow state law and guidelines regarding noncooperation with ICE and/or other federal entities.
    — Isidro Ortiz, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025
Definition of noncooperation

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civil courts
civil disobedience
civilian
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Cite this Entry

“Civil disobedience.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civil%20disobedience. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about civil disobedience

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