noun
Common
rebellion
rih-BEHL-ee-uhn
Rebellion (noun) means Organized, often violent resistance against a government or ruling power. Example: “The soldiers joined the rebellion against the ruling council after months of hardship.”
noun
1
Organized, often violent resistance against a government or ruling power.
"The soldiers joined the rebellion against the ruling council after months of hardship."
"Historians still debate what caused the rebellion in the countryside."
"The rebellion was crushed within weeks."
2
Open defiance of authority or control, in a broader or more personal sense.
"Dyeing her hair green was her teenage rebellion against strict parents."
"The pupils' quiet rebellion was refusing to wear the old uniform."
"Skipping curfew was his own small act of rebellion."
"Having a tattoo was Mathilda's personal rebellion against her parents."
How to use rebellion
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFighting back against authority — whether that's an armed uprising against a government or a smaller personal act of defiance.
Common pairings
crush a rebellion
act of rebellion
lead a rebellion
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Word forms
- Plural
- rebellions
Fill the gap
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The soldiers joined the _____ against the ruling council after months of hardship.
Etymology
From Old French rebellion, from Latin rebelliō, from rebel plus -iō, matching the English suffix -ion.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for rebellion
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for rebellion →
Frequently asked questions
What does “rebellion” mean?
The word “rebellion” means organized, often violent resistance against a government or ruling power. In plain terms, fighting back against authority — whether that's an armed uprising against a government or a smaller personal act of defiance.
How do you pronounce “rebellion”?
“Rebellion” is pronounced rih-BEHL-ee-uhn (/ɹɪˈbɛl.i.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “rebellion” in a sentence?
Here is “rebellion” used in a sentence: “The rebellion was crushed within weeks.”
What is another word for “rebellion”?
Words with a similar meaning to “rebellion” include uprising.
What is the opposite of “rebellion”?
The opposite of “rebellion” — its antonyms — are obedience and submission.
What part of speech is “rebellion”?
“Rebellion” is a noun.
Where does the word “rebellion” come from?
The word “rebellion” comes from Latin. From Old French rebellion, from Latin rebelliō, from rebel plus -iō, matching the English suffix -ion.
Is “rebellion” a common word?
“Rebellion” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between a rebellion and a revolution?
A rebellion is organised resistance against a government or authority, which may or may not succeed. A revolution is usually a rebellion that succeeds in overthrowing the existing order and bringing lasting change, often to the whole political system.
What is the difference between a rebellion and a revolt?
The two are very close in meaning, both describing resistance against authority. 'Revolt' often suggests a sudden or spontaneous outbreak, while 'rebellion' can imply more organised or sustained opposition.
What is the difference between a rebellion and a mutiny?
A rebellion is broad resistance against a government or ruling power, while a mutiny specifically refers to soldiers or sailors rising up against their own officers. A mutiny is a particular kind of rebellion within the military or a crew.
What is the difference between a rebellion and a coup?
A rebellion is open, often broad-based resistance against those in power and can involve many ordinary people. A coup is a sudden, usually small and secretive seizure of power, often by people already inside the government or military.
