[re.bel.lion] n (14c) 1: opposition to one in authority or dominance
2. a: open, armed, and usu. unsuccessful defiance of or resistance to an established government b: an instance of such defiance or resistance syn rebellion, revolution, uprising, revolt, insurrection, mutiny mean an outbreak against authority. rebellion implies an open formidable resistance that is often unsuccessful "open rebellion against the officers". revolution applies to a successful rebellion resulting in a major change (as in government) "a political revolution that toppled the monarchy". uprising implies a brief, limited and often immediately ineffective rebellion "quickly put down the uprising". revolt and insurrection imply an armed uprising that quickly fails or succeeds "a revolt by the Young Turks that surprised party leaders" "an insurrection of oppressed laborers". mutiny applies to group insubordination or insurrection esp. against naval authority "a mutiny led by the ship's cook".