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

Relevance

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

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 Some of the top reasons people drink alcohol is to relax, for enjoyment, to be part of a group, to avoid physical and/or psychological pain, to experiment and for rebellion. —

Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 14 Oct. 2024 Knight, a Mississippi farmer and Confederate deserter, led a rebellion against the Confederacy during the American Civil War. —

Travis Bean, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024 In June 1685, Avis Molland – by now widowed – emerges in court records as an informant about a potential revolt, at a time when the Duke of Monmouth was attempting a rebellion against the king. —

Julia Buckley, CNN, 31 Oct. 2024 Harris’ character Cochise was set apart from the others by his unique choice of fashion style that included on a headband and a big turquoise necklace as a sign of rebellion. —

Emiliana Betancourt, Variety, 27 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rebellion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebellion

Noun

The recession generated populist revolts on the right (the Tea Party movement) and the left (the Occupy movement), and made what had appeared to be broad public acceptance of pro-market bromides seem like an illusion.

Nicholas Lemann, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024
Soviet Russians sent in tanks and shut down the revolt after several brutal days of bitter fighting.

Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 23 Oct. 2024