: 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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Plenty of teenagers rebel against their parents in all kinds of ways. But a rebellion usually involves a group. Armed rebellions are usually put down by a country's armed forces, or at least kept from expanding beyond a small area. The American War of Independence was first viewed by the British as a minor rebellion that would soon run its course, but this particular rebellion led to a full-fledged revolution--that is, the overthrow of a government. Rebellion, armed or otherwise, has often alerted those in power that those they control are very unhappy.
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
Example Sentences
The king's army suppressed the rebellion. The unfair tax laws sparked a rebellion. The peasants rose in rebellion. She's the head of a rebellion against the leaders of the party. Recent election losses have led to open rebellion among some party members, who are calling for a complete change of leadership.
Recent Examples on the WebWhen Ukrainian forces rolled in to quell the rebellion, some residents saw them as occupiers.BostonGlobe.com, 17 Sep. 2022 The Mau Mau uprising was the most prolonged and violent rebellion against British rule since the region was colonized in the late 1800s. Hyder Abbasi, NBC News, 14 Sep. 2022 Every brand seemed to bow lower and lower to the royal family, even Hamilton, a Broadway/West End musical whose main subject is the American rebellion against royal authority. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2022 To staunch the rebellion, Assad took to attacking his own people with bombs and chemical weapons. Peter Debruge, Variety, 8 Sep. 2022 Soca soundtracks Carnival, celebrations rooted in resistance and rebellion from oppression, across the Caribbean. Melissa Noel, Essence, 2 Sep. 2022 Lord Corlys counters by highlighting Westeros’ weakness, made evident by the King’s brother, Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), who is now occupying Dragonstone with his army—an act of rebellion bordering on insurrection. Josh St. Clair, Men's Health, 29 Aug. 2022 While individual rebellion proves possibility and gives permission to others, real change is rooted in community.WIRED, 26 Aug. 2022 The more likely scenario, as the Murray backlash showed, is resentment and even rebellion against the changes. Don Yaeger, Forbes, 9 Aug. 2022 See More