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.

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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 In 1952 he was convicted for his role in a civil disobedience campaign and received a nine-month sentence of hard labor (suspended for two years). — Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 June 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

We’ve been told that Juliette is a once-in-a-generation leader, capable of pushing a rebellion further than it’s ever gone before.

— Noel Murray, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
So using a Mexican bean in a staple of Italian home cooking was surprising, almost like an act of rebellion.

— Margy Rochlin, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 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

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civil courts

civil disobedience

civilian

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“Civil disobedience.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civil%20disobedience. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of civil disobedience

noun

Example Sentences

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