rebels

NOUN

person who does not obey

Synonyms

STRONGEST

guerrilla insurgent opponent rioter secessionist separatist

STRONG

agitator anarchist antagonist apostate demagogue deserter dissenter experimenter heretic iconoclast independent individualist innovator malcontent mutineer nihilist nonconformist recreant renegade resistance revolutionary revolutionist subverter traitor turncoat

WEAK

disectarian experientialist frondeur insurrectionary overthrower revolter schismatic seditionist

Antonyms

STRONG

adherent loyalist

VERB

refuse to obey

Synonyms

STRONGEST

defy overthrow renounce resist revolt secede take up arms

STRONG

boycott censure combat criticize denounce disobey dissent fight mutiny oppose overturn remonstrate riot strike upset

WEAK

be insubordinate break with come out against drop out get out of line insurrect make waves opt out rise up rock the boat run amok turn against

Antonyms

STRONGEST

comply give in obey surrender yield

STRONG

agree approve compliment endorse laud lose make peace praise sanction support

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A combined offensive among some rebels starting late 2023 saw them win stunning advances, bearing down on the second largest city Mandalay -- with speculation they may even capture the ancient royal capital.

From Barron's • Jul. 1, 2026

More than two years ago, the rebels made a series of sweeping gains, but they have since been put on the back foot.

From BBC • Jun. 22, 2026

Peter Flynn, a 54-year-old local electrician, likens Reform’s rise to the peasants’ revolt in 1381, when a group of disaffected rebels stormed the Tower of London.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 22, 2026

Alberto Fujimori led Peru through the turbulent 1990s, crushing Maoist Shining Path rebels and taming hyperinflation.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

He wanted to change things, but he’d figured out it couldn’t be with the rebels.

From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir