dissident

American  

[dis-i-duhnt] / ˈdɪs ɪ dənt /

noun

1. a person who dissents.

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adjective

1. disagreeing or dissenting, as in opinion or attitude.

   a ban on dissident magazines.

dissident British  

/ ˈdɪsɪdənt /

adjective

1. disagreeing; dissenting

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noun

1. a person who disagrees, esp one who disagrees with the government

Other Word Forms

• antidissident noun
• dissidence noun
• dissidently adverb
• nondissident adjective

Etymology

Origin of dissident

1525–35; < Latin dissident- (stem of dissidēns, present participle of dissidēre to sit apart), equivalent to dis- dis- ¹ + -sid- (combining form of sed- repair ¹ ) + -ent- -ent

Example Sentences

The Soviet Union vocally protested the prize to dissident Andrei Sakharov in 1975, arguing that it was aimed at fueling antigovernment sentiment.

From The Wall Street Journal

But Citizen Lab has discovered it on phones belonging to politicians, journalists and dissidents - including al-Masarir.

From BBC

Alinejad is one of the most prominent dissident campaigners against Iranian authorities and for years has pushed for the abolition of the obligatory headscarf in Iran under the banner of "MyStealthyFreedom."

From Barron's

Thanks to Judge Charles Ouslander for his asylum ruling, which shows the U.S. can still be a beacon for liberty and a refuge for dissidents from the world’s cruel authoritarians.

From The Wall Street Journal

"These broadcasts also aim at humiliating and destroying dissidents' credibility while reminding the public of the high cost of challenging the state," she added.

From Barron's

Related Words

• protester
• rebel
• separatist