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

We were fascinated by a broader trend — covered locally by the Chicago Sun-Times and nationally by outlets including CNBC and The New York Times — of people turning the humble 1040 into a form of civil disobedience. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026

Since then, photos and videos from the act of civil disobedience have spread widely across social media — amplified by others who share a similar frustration and unease about the country's military action. —Juliana Kim, NPR, 24 Apr. 2026

Because civil disobedience and peaceful protest are relatively inexpensive and not as risky as violent resistance. —Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026

Groups of British Chagossians have lately engaged in acts of civil disobedience to reassert a right to return to the outer Chagos islands, but as British citizens living under British law on British soil. —David Frum, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for civil disobedience

• expedience
• obedience

Legal Definition

civil disobedience

noun

civil dis·​obe·​di·​ence

: refusal to obey governmental demands or commands especially as a nonviolent and usually collective means of forcing concessions from the government