civil disobedience
noun
: refusal to obey governmental demands or commands especially as a nonviolent and usually collective means of forcing concessions from the government
Examples of civil disobedience in a Sentence
In an act of civil disobedience, the family sent its tax money to an antiwar organization.
A student organization is encouraging civil disobedience as a way to get the university to change its policies.
Recent Examples on the Web
The junta has cracked down on doctors and nurses, who have been at the forefront of a civil disobedience movement opposed to the regime.
—
Sui-Lee Wee, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Ankara has dramatically curbed civil disobedience since the 2013 nationwide Gezi Park protests against Erdogan’s government prompted a violent state crackdown.
—Reuters, NBC news, 21 Mar. 2025
In a surprising number of cases, organizers defeated polluters through a combination of litigation, civil disobedience and other protests, and by pressuring banks, insurers and big investors.
—Kevin A. Young, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2025
This escalated the backlash against the Navy’s presence on the island, prompting massive protests, acts of civil disobedience, and encampments.
—Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for civil disobedience
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Sui-Lee Wee, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Ankara has dramatically curbed civil disobedience since the 2013 nationwide Gezi Park protests against Erdogan’s government prompted a violent state crackdown.
—Reuters, NBC news, 21 Mar. 2025
In a surprising number of cases, organizers defeated polluters through a combination of litigation, civil disobedience and other protests, and by pressuring banks, insurers and big investors.
—Kevin A. Young, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2025
This escalated the backlash against the Navy’s presence on the island, prompting massive protests, acts of civil disobedience, and encampments.
—Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for civil disobedience
Cite this Entry
“Civil disobedience.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civil%20disobedience. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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