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
Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024
As Rob rises as the leader of a band of rebel outlaws, Marian infiltrates the power at court, as both work together to thwart royal corruption and bring peace to the land.
—Peter White, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2024
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 Oct. 2024
Even the missile wars against the Houthi rebels in Yemen put the U.S. military-industrial complex at a disadvantage, as the U.S. shoots down cheap Houthi missiles with expensive U.S. interceptors.
—William Hartung, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024
Kif Leswing, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2024
After a while, the women decided to call themselves the New Barbizon, a tribute to the 19th-century French painters who rebelled against the claustrophobic conventions of the French Academy and painted landscapes en plein air.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 5 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rebel 
Adjective
The lost art of rebel Disney Imagineer Rolly Crump, who worked on attractions such as the Haunted Mansion, can be viewed at a West Hollywood gallery.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024
As Rob rises as the leader of a band of rebel outlaws, Marian infiltrates the power at court, as both work together to thwart royal corruption and bring peace to the land.
—Peter White, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2024
Noun
Two tribal maids rebel against their English employer in 1950s India.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 Oct. 2024
Even the missile wars against the Houthi rebels in Yemen put the U.S. military-industrial complex at a disadvantage, as the U.S. shoots down cheap Houthi missiles with expensive U.S. interceptors.
—William Hartung, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024
Verb
Game developers rebelled and threatened to find alternative game engines.
—Kif Leswing, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2024
After a while, the women decided to call themselves the New Barbizon, a tribute to the 19th-century French painters who rebelled against the claustrophobic conventions of the French Academy and painted landscapes en plein air.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 5 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rebel
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rebel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near rebel
Cite this Entry
“Rebel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rebel. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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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