Synonyms for rebellion
Most common
Synonyms by meaning
Noun
1. Insurrection
insurrection, revolt, uprising, mutiny, revolution, sedition, insurgency, rising, outbreak
2. Disobedience
Other
Definitions
- n. 1
Armed resistance to an established government or ruler.
The government is doing its best to stop rebellion in the country.
- n. 2
Defiance of authority or control; the act of rebelling.
Having a tattoo was Mathilda's personal rebellion against her parents.
Related words
- Word family
- rebel rebellious
- Phrases
- armed rebellion
Forms
- Plural
- rebellions → insurrections, revolts, uprisings, mutinies…
Choose the right word
Sedition is the plotting, rebellion the fighting, against the existing government, but always with the purpose of establishing some other government in its place. When rebellion is successful it is called revolution; but there may be revolution without rebellion; as, the English Revolution of 1688.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- uprising The uprising failed to achieve its objectives.
- revolt It will take a long time to suppress the revolt.
- mutiny A mutiny on my ship? It's completely impossible.
- insurrection Tom was arrested for inciting an insurrection.
- defiance His brazen act of defiance almost cost him his life.
- disobedience Your willful disobedience is what got you here.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| rebellion | steady | |
| uprising | steady | |
| revolt | falling | |
| mutiny | steady | |
| insurrection | falling | |
| defiance | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 6 letters
- rising2, revolt2, mutiny3
- 7 letters
- anarchy3
- 8 letters
- outbreak2, uprising3, defiance3, sedition3
- 9 letters
- contumacy
- 10 letters
- revolution4, insurgency4
- 12 letters
- disobedience5, insurrection4
- 15 letters
- insubordination6
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (rising2 = 2 syllables).