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rebellion

B2
Fairly common

Pronunciation

UK

  • /rɪbˈɛliən/

US

  • /rɪˈbɛljən/

Meanings

Noun

  1. organized resistance or uprising against a government or other authority

  2. defiant refusal to accept control, convention, or discipline

Beyond the definition

Rebellion is more than simple rule-breaking; it is a strong act of resistance against authority or control. Think of people rising up against a government, a ruler, or another power they believe is unfair. It can be open and violent, like an armed uprising, or quieter, like refusing to obey laws or orders seen as wrong. The word often suggests a serious challenge to the way things are and a wish for change. Sometimes it describes a large public revolt, and sometimes it describes a person who keeps pushing back against strict control.

Examples

  1. 1

    Food prices

    High food prices helped spark a rebellion in the capital.

  2. 2

    Political resistance

    By winter, three provinces were in rebellion against the king.

    • Patternin rebellion against + authority

      actively resisting or refusing to obey

  3. 3

    Government response

    The government offered talks instead of trying to crush the rebellion by force.

  4. 4

    Quiet resistance

    For some students, refusing to wear the uniform was a quiet act of rebellion.

    • Phrasean act of rebellion

      one thing you do to show resistance

More examples
  1. 5

    Growing up

    The novel treats teenage rebellion as a normal part of growing up.

See also

Similar

Shades of meaning

Contrast

Do not confuse

Used with (collocations)

  • armed rebellion
  • rebellion against authority
  • put down a rebellion
  • spark a rebellion

Word family

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Forms and spellings

2 forms open this card.

Main spelling

  • rebellionnoun

Forms

  • rebellionspluralnoun