Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

dissident

adjective dis·si·dent \ -dənt \
|Updated on: 19 Jun 2018

Definition of dissident

: disagreeing especially with an established religious or political system, organization, or belief
  • dissident elements in the armed forces
—

dissident

noun

See dissident defined for kids

Examples of dissident in a Sentence

  1. dissident elements within the Catholic Church

Recent Examples of dissident from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dissident.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of dissident

Latin dissident-, dissidens, present participle of dissidēre to sit apart, disagree, from dis- + sedēre to sit — more at sit

dissident Synonyms

Synonyms

dissenting, heretical (also heretic), heterodox, iconoclastic, maverick, nonconformist, nonorthodox, out-there, unconventional, unorthodox;

Antonyms

conforming, conformist, conventional, orthodox;

Related Words

free-spirited, freethinking, nontraditional;

apostate, defecting, renegade;

schismatic (also schismatical), sectarian, separatist;

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

Learn More about dissident

  1. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for dissident Spanish Central: Translation of dissident Nglish: Translation of dissident for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of dissident for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up dissident? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

amortize

play

to pay off by making regular payments

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. asylum 'protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees'

  2. insubordinate 'disobedient to authority'

  3. promulgate 'to make known by open declaration'

  4. epochal 'momentous or unparalleled'

  5. clemency 'merciful treatment of someone who could be given harsh punishment'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

dissident

Test Your Vocabulary

Words for Summer: A Quiz

  • a-closeup-of-a-sunflower
  • Which of the following words means “of or relating to summer”?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games