1
a
: opposing or taking arms against a government or ruler
b
: of or relating to rebels
the rebel camp
2
rebelled; rebelling
1
a
: to oppose or disobey one in authority or control
b
: to renounce and resist by force the authority of one's government
2
a
: to act in or show opposition or disobedience
rebelled against the conventions of polite society
b
: to feel or exhibit anger or revulsion
rebelled at the injustice of life
Synonyms
Examples of rebel in a Sentence
Adjective
today's rebel chefs feel free to ignore the dictates of classic French cuisine
Noun
The government captured six armed rebels.
He was a rebel against the school administration.
He is a typical teenage rebel.
Verb
When the government imposed more taxes, the people rebelled.
The protesters are rebelling against the new tax law.
Children often rebel against their parents.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2025
Nearly 3,000 people were killed over the past week in fighting between a rebel group and Congolese armed forces, the U.N. estimated.
—Natasha Frost, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2025
Nimi Princewill, CNN, 12 Feb. 2025
Trump could also run into problems in Congress where the Republicans have only a slim majority in both the Senate and House, meaning a small number of GOP rebels could disrupt his plans.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
Noel Murray, Vulture, 6 Feb. 2025
In the early stages of the Cold War, Hungary, a client state controlled by the USSR, rebelled, fueled by student demonstrations arguing for secession and freedom of speech.
—Daniel Seifert, JSTOR Daily, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for rebel 
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Adjective
The shocking defeat of Bashar al-Assad’s regime by rebel groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham prompted a groundswell of domestic and international optimism.
—Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2025
Nearly 3,000 people were killed over the past week in fighting between a rebel group and Congolese armed forces, the U.N. estimated.
—Natasha Frost, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2025
Noun
Last week, a humanitarian ceasefire announced by M23 fell apart almost immediately after it was declared, as the rebels swiftly advanced into Nyabibwe.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN, 12 Feb. 2025
Trump could also run into problems in Congress where the Republicans have only a slim majority in both the Senate and House, meaning a small number of GOP rebels could disrupt his plans.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
Verb
Perhaps her subconscious is rebelling, realizing she’s been crossing too many moral and ethical lines.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 6 Feb. 2025
In the early stages of the Cold War, Hungary, a client state controlled by the USSR, rebelled, fueled by student demonstrations arguing for secession and freedom of speech.
—Daniel Seifert, JSTOR Daily, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for rebel
Dictionary Entries Near rebel
Cite this Entry
“Rebel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rebel. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rebel
1 of 3 adjective
reb·el
ˈreb-əl 
1
: being or fighting against one's government or ruler
2
: not obeying
rebel
2 of 3 noun
: a person who refuses to give in to authority
rebel
3 of 3 verb
re·bel
ri-ˈbel
rebelled; rebelling
1
: to be against or fight against authority and especially the authority of one's government
2
: to feel or show anger or strong dislike
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