Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - rebellion

 noun  Date: 14th century  1. opposition to one in authority or dominance  2.  a. open, armed, and usually unsuccessful defiance of or resistance to an established government  b. an instance of such defiance or resistance Synonyms:  ~, revolution, uprising, revolt, insurrection, mutiny mean an outbreak against authority. ~ implies an open formidable resistance that is often unsuccessful open ~ against the officers. revolution applies to a successful ~ resulting in a major change (as in government) a political revolution that toppled the monarchy. uprising implies a brief, limited, and often immediately ineffective ~ 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 especially against naval authority a mutiny led by the ship's cook.