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
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
Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2025
President Trump’s military and intelligence leaders inadvertently shared classified military information on a Houthi rebel attack with a magazine editor which was published online.
—Rick Pozniak, Boston Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
Arkansas Online, 2 Apr. 2025
Parnell, the Pentagon spokesperson, said the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, which has been carrying out strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen, will stay in the region through this month, though its deployment there was scheduled to have ended at the end of March.
—Haley Britzky, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025
Andrew Lawler, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025
Elphaba and Glinda, who spent the first act and film becoming unlikely friends, go their separate ways as Elphaba chooses to rebel against the Wizard and Glinda stays behind.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rebel
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
In the fresh extended footage shown, DiCaprio’s former yippie Bob is seen negotiating with a difficult underground rebel contact who knows the whereabouts of his daughter (played by Chase Infiniti).
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2025
President Trump’s military and intelligence leaders inadvertently shared classified military information on a Houthi rebel attack with a magazine editor which was published online.
—Rick Pozniak, Boston Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
Noun
The rebels have loosely defined what constitutes an Israeli ship, meaning many vessels could be targeted.
—Arkansas Online, 2 Apr. 2025
Parnell, the Pentagon spokesperson, said the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, which has been carrying out strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen, will stay in the region through this month, though its deployment there was scheduled to have ended at the end of March.
—Haley Britzky, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
Given recent rumors that those in bondage intended to rebel, the delegation accepted his explanation, withdrew and convinced the waiting crowd outside to disperse.
—Andrew Lawler, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025
Elphaba and Glinda, who spent the first act and film becoming unlikely friends, go their separate ways as Elphaba chooses to rebel against the Wizard and Glinda stays behind.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rebel
Cite this Entry
“Rebel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rebel. Accessed 7 Apr. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share