Rebellion

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ɹɪˈbɛl.i.ən/

Definitions

1. An organized resistance or uprising against an established authority or government
2. A struggle against control or rule by an institution or leader can manifest as a series of protests, uprisings, or other acts of defiance
3. Collective actions taken by individuals to oppose or overthrow governing powers often reflect dissatisfaction and demand for change

Etymology: Latin "rebellio" was built from "re-", meaning "again" or "back", and "bellum", meaning "war", so at its root a rebellion is a renewed war, a return to fighting after a defeat or a truce. The Romans used the idea for uprisings against established authority, and the Latin verb "rebellare" shows the same logic: to make war again. The word reached English through Old French "rebellion" and came into Middle English as "rebellioun" and "rebellion". Its partner "rebel" follows the same path, and "-ion" is the Latin-derived suffix that turns the verb-like idea into a noun for the act or state itself. Unlike many words that were rebuilt from Latin in later centuries, this one arrived in English through the ordinary channel of medieval French, so its core sense of renewed armed conflict has stayed close to its Roman beginnings.

Synonyms: uprising, revolt, insurrection, revolution, mutiny

Antonyms: obedience, submission, compliance, conformity, loyalty