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Definitions

rebel

[reb-uhl, ri-bel] / ˈrɛb əl, rɪˈbɛl /
ADJECTIVE
not obeying
Synonyms
STRONGEST
insurgent rebellious revolutionary
WEAK
insubordinate insurrectionary mutinous
Antonyms
STRONGEST
obedient
WEAK
complaisant compliant
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.

Former Maoist rebel Vishnu Madvi, 26, surrendered in January after seven years with the guerrillas.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

“Monarch” swaggers forth on the strength of Kurt Russell’s rebel cowboy spirit.

From Salon • Mar. 20, 2026

His fat cat industrialist Zsa-Zsa Korda is no underground rebel.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

The more you try and “contain” it with aggression, the more the crowd will try and rebel against you and respond with more aggression.

From Slate • Feb. 28, 2026

“Good to see you again, sirs,” yelped the rebel to my right, now leaping to his feet and grinding my beautiful skirt beneath his manure-encrusted boot.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan