rebellion

An armed fight against a government or ruler.

• The army stopped the rebellion.
• Thousands joined an armed rebellion against the ruler.
• The rebellion spread across the country within weeks.

How to use it: rebellion against someone/something (They joined a rebellion against the king.)

Similar words: revolt, uprising, insurrection

Common phrases: armed rebellion, crush a rebellion, rebellion against someone

Refusing to accept someone’s rules, authority, or control.

• His silence was an act of rebellion.
• Teenage rebellion can cause arguments at home.
• She saw leaving school as a rebellion against her family’s expectations.

How to use it: rebellion against someone/something (Her haircut was a rebellion against her parents’ rules.)

Similar words: defiance, resistance

Opposites: obedience, submission

Common phrases: teenage rebellion, act of rebellion, rebellion against something

An organized, forceful attempt to replace the government and its laws with a different system.

• The rebellion brought a new government to power.
• The general organized a rebellion to overthrow the president.
• After the successful rebellion, the leaders introduced a new legal system.

How to use it: rebellion against something (The general led a rebellion against the government.)

Similar words: revolt, insurrection

Common phrases: lead a rebellion, successful rebellion, rebellion against government