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
Lili Anolik, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024
Over the past year, the conflict between rebel forces and government troops in Myanmar has brought new refugees to the settlements.
—Maria Isabel Barros Guinle, NPR, 1 Sep. 2024
Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024
The Israel-Hamas war has intensified other conflicts in the Middle East, including attacks on international shipping lanes by Yemen’s Houthi rebels and between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 14 Oct. 2024
Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 23 Oct. 2024
Milioti arrived as Nanette Cole, a new hire to the company whose clone rallies the others to rebel against their jailer.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 14 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rebel 
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Adjective
The rebel spark in my heart, though, wasn’t completely snuffed.
—Lili Anolik, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024
Over the past year, the conflict between rebel forces and government troops in Myanmar has brought new refugees to the settlements.
—Maria Isabel Barros Guinle, NPR, 1 Sep. 2024
Noun
The rebels have threatened new attacks in response to Israel’s ground invasion of Lebanon and its killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
—Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024
The Israel-Hamas war has intensified other conflicts in the Middle East, including attacks on international shipping lanes by Yemen’s Houthi rebels and between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 14 Oct. 2024
Verb
But her son didn’t rebel during a game the rest of that season.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 23 Oct. 2024
Milioti arrived as Nanette Cole, a new hire to the company whose clone rallies the others to rebel against their jailer.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 14 Oct. 2024
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 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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