rebel

[ noun adjective reb-uhl; verb ri-bel ]

noun

1. a person who refuses allegiance to, resists, or rises in arms against the government or ruler of their country.

   Synonyms: insurrectionist, insurgent, traitor, mutineer

2. a person who resists any authority, control, or tradition.

adjective

1. rebellious; defiant.

   Synonyms: mutinous, insurgent

2. of or relating to rebels.

verb (used without object)

, re·bel, re·belled, re·bel·ling.

1. to reject, resist, or rise in arms against one's government or ruler.

   Synonyms: mutiny, revolt

2. to resist or rise against some authority, control, or tradition.
3. to show or feel utter repugnance:

   His very soul rebelled at spanking the child.

rebel

verb

1. to resist or rise up against a government or other authority, esp by force of arms
2. to dissent from an accepted moral code or convention of behaviour, dress, etc
3. to show repugnance (towards)

noun

1. 1. a person who rebels
   2. ( as modifier )

      a rebel leader

      a rebel soldier

2. a person who dissents from some accepted moral code or convention of behaviour, dress, etc

Derived Forms

• ˈrebeldom, noun

Other Words From

• rebel·like adjective
• non·rebel noun adjective
• pro·rebel adjective
• semi·rebel noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rebel¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English adjective rebel(e), from Old French rebelle, from Latin rebellis “renewing a war,” equivalent to re- re- + bell(um) “war” + -is adjective suffix; Middle English verb rebelle(n), from Old French rebeller and Latin rebellāre; noun derivative of the adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rebel¹

C13: from Old French rebelle , from Latin rebellis insurgent, from re- + bellum war

Example Sentences

He finished with a 28-42 record in six seasons with the Rebels.

From Los Angeles Times

He wrote “Sagebrush Rebel,” a book about Reagan’s fight against what he saw as excessive federal control of Western lands.

From Los Angeles Times

Rebel groups have rejected a peace offer from Myanmar’s embattled junta, which is reeling from battlefield losses and defections in a civil war that has dragged on for more than three years.

From BBC

Taylor's life - from her Oscar wins to her seven husbands - is explored in new BBC documentary series Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar.

From BBC

The Good Rebel bar in Stockport, where Miss Thompson previously worked, paid tribute to her on Instagram, remembering her kind nature and "beaming smile".

From BBC

Related Words

• guerrilla
• insurgent
• opponent
• rioter
• secessionist
• separatist