re ‧ bel ‧ lion /rɪˈbeljən/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
1 . an organized attempt to change the government or leader of a country, using violence ⇨ coup , revolution :
an armed rebellion
rebellion against
a rebellion against the military regime
in rebellion
The Bretons rose in rebellion against the King.
suppress/crush a rebellion (=use violence to stop it)
2 . when someone opposes or fights against people in authority or ideas which they do not agree with:
a rebellion by right-wing members of the party
rebellion against
rebellion against traditional values
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COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + rebellion
▪ armed rebellion
This injustice has produced armed rebellion.
▪ open rebellion (=rebellion that is clear and not hidden)
Algiers was in open rebellion.
▪ a military rebellion/an army rebellion
Marlborough considered leading a military rebellion against the new king.
■ verbs
▪ a rebellion breaks out (=starts)
While he was away, a rebellion broke out in Aquitaine.
▪ people rise in rebellion (=start rebelling)
The peasants rose in rebellion.
▪ lead a rebellion
He led a peasant rebellion against Catherine the Great.
▪ suppress/crush/put down a rebellion (=end it by force)
Troops moved in to suppress the rebellion.
▪ stage a rebellion (=organize it)
Farmers who opposed the tax staged a rebellion that forced Washington to back down.
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THESAURUS
▪ revolt/rebellion/uprising an attempt by a large group of people at revolution:
a popular uprising (=involving ordinary people, not the army)
▪ coup /kuː/ an occasion when a group of people, especially soldiers, suddenly take control of a country:
a military coup