rebellion
B2Formal, but also common in general discourse.
Definition
Meaning
An act of open, armed, and often prolonged resistance against an established government or ruler.
Organised defiance of any authority, control, or convention; a refusal to accept or conform.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a collective, organised action rather than an individual act of defiance. Can be both concrete (armed uprising) and abstract (rebellion against tradition).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The related verb 'rebel' shows a slight pronunciation difference.
Connotations
Similar connotations of organised, serious, and often violent resistance in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in news, history, and social discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
rebellion against [authority/tradition]rebellion over [issue]rebellion in [region]rebellion by [group]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A rebellion in the ranks”
- “Teenage rebellion”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used metaphorically for challenges to management or corporate culture (e.g., 'a rebellion among shareholders').
Academic
Common in history, political science, and sociology to describe organised political or social resistance.
Everyday
Used for acts of defiance, especially by children/teens, or against social norms.
Technical
In military/political contexts, denotes a specific stage of armed conflict against state authority.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The colonies rebelled against the crown.
- He rebelled by dyeing his hair green.
American English
- The colonists rebelled against British rule.
- She rebelled by dropping out of law school.
adverb
British English
- He acted rebelliously, refusing to wear the uniform.
- She glanced rebelliously at her teacher.
American English
- The teenager dressed rebelliously for the formal event.
- He spoke rebelliously against the new policy.
adjective
British English
- His rebellious streak got him expelled.
- The rebellious faction seized the armoury.
American English
- She has a rebellious attitude toward authority.
- The rebellious states formed a confederacy.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The story is about a rebellion against a bad king.
- Teenagers sometimes show rebellion.
- The government sent troops to stop the rebellion in the north.
- Her love of unusual clothes was a small act of rebellion.
- The peasant rebellion was brutally suppressed after three months.
- The new policies sparked a rebellion among the senior staff.
- The rebellion was fueled by years of economic inequality and political repression.
- His work is a profound intellectual rebellion against the prevailing theories of his time.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'The BELL rings to signal the start of the REBELLION.'
Conceptual Metaphor
REBELLION IS A FIRE (spark, ignite, fan the flames, crush, extinguish). REBELLION IS A DISEASE (outbreak, spread, cure, suppress).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'мятеж' (mutiny/revolt), which is more spontaneous and often narrower. 'Rebellion' is broader, often implying a political cause. The Russian 'бунт' can be more chaotic; 'rebellion' suggests more organisation.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'rebellion' for a single protest or riot (too strong). Incorrect preposition: 'rebellion to' (correct: 'rebellion against').
Practice
Quiz
Which word is LEAST likely to describe a large-scale, organised 'rebellion'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'rebellion' or 'revolt' is an act of defiance aiming to overthrow authority, often unsuccessful. A 'revolution' is a more fundamental, sweeping change to a political or social system, usually successful.
Yes, depending on perspective. It can imply courage and a fight for justice (e.g., a rebellion against tyranny). It can also be negative when describing chaotic or unjustified violence.
No, it's a metaphorical extension. It refers to a period of psychological defiance against parental or societal norms, not an organised armed struggle.
A 'mutiny' is a specific type of rebellion within a military or naval force against commanding officers. 'Rebellion' is a broader term for resistance against any established authority.
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