CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

civil disobedience

noun

as in rebellion

refusal to obey laws as a way of forcing the government to do or change something In an act of civil disobedience, the family sent its tax money to an antiwar organization. A student organization is encouraging civil disobedience as a way to get the university to change its policies.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of civil disobedience The United States is now witnessing the unraveling of nearly a century of organizing, civil disobedience and personal sacrifice by ordinary people who helped build Black political power to heights unseen since Reconstruction. — Leah Willingham, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026 We were fascinated by a broader trend — covered locally by the Chicago Sun-Times and nationally by outlets including CNBC and The New York Times — of people turning the humble 1040 into a form of civil disobedience. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026 Since then, photos and videos from the act of civil disobedience have spread widely across social media — amplified by others who share a similar frustration and unease about the country's military action. — Juliana Kim, NPR, 24 Apr. 2026 Generations of Americans spent the first half of the twentieth century sitting at their kitchen tables, performing a small act of civil disobedience every week to save thirty cents on butter. — Christian Catalini, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for civil disobedience

Recent Examples of Synonyms for civil disobedience

Noun

During the Sengoku period, clan leader Isshin Ashina leads a successful rebellion against the rulers to secure Ashina’s independence.

— Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026
According to a recent paper by the French Institute of International Relations, the SAF and its supporters claim to be putting down an armed rebellion as Sudan’s legitimate government.

— Mat Nashed, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of rebellion

Noun

Appointments to Iran’s senior security leadership in the past month, however, have signaled Tehran’s defiance after weathering decades of sanctions.

— David Rising, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Even in that moment of defiance, though, he is drawn back toward his actual father.

— Christopher Cox, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of defiance

Noun

The former staffers’ attorneys tried to force her to testify in this week’s trial against Basabe, and plaintiffs have pointed to her noncooperation as evidence of the alleged House cover-up of Basabe’s actions and silencing of potential witnesses.

— Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
The Department of Homeland Security as well as administration officials have largely defended its agents and tied the shootings to a rise in vehicle assaults and noncooperation fueled by the rhetoric of Democratic officials.

— Christopher Cann, USA Today, 17 July 2026

Definition of noncooperation

Browse Nearby Words

civil courts

civil disobedience

civilian

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Civil disobedience.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civil%20disobedience. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of civil disobedience

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on civil disobedience

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes