rebel

1 of 3

adjective

reb·​el ˈre-bəl 

1

a

: opposing or taking arms against a government or ruler

b

: of or relating to rebels

the rebel camp

2

: disobedient, rebellious

rebel

2 of 3

noun

: one who rebels or participates in a rebellion

rebel

3 of 3

verb

re·​bel ri-ˈbel 

rebelled; rebelling

intransitive verb

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

Adjective

• rebellious
• defiant

Noun

• insurgent
• revolutionary

Verb

• revolt
• mutiny

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

Adjective

Originally, the many rebel groups fighting Assad’s forces included both secular and Islamic militias. —Rami Zeedan, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2025

After all, in Andor, a rebel alliance pushes back against an emperor. —Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 9 Aug. 2025

Noun

Adapted from Chinese folklore, the film follows a boy named Ne Zha (Crystal Lee) who is born with demon-like powers and rebels against his hawk-eyed, human parents Lady Yin and Li Jing (Vincent Rodriguez III). —Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025

Since January, thousands were killed and hundreds of thousands were displaced in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the fighting between M23 rebels and the Congolese army. —Jean Kaseya, Time, 20 Aug. 2025

Verb

Spark’s love of high style surely rebelled against the austerity of Protestantism, both in worship and creed. —Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 10 Aug. 2025

George Washington led troops in the American Revolution and stands for the birth of a representative democracy after rebelling against Britain’s monarchy. —Lisa Meyers McClintick, USA Today, 21 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin rebellis, from re- + bellum war, from Old Latin duellum

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing rebel

• rebel yell

Rhymes for rebel

• jebel
• nebel
• pebble
• treble
• jezebel

Kids 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