dissident

adjective

dis·​si·​dent ˈdi-sə-dənt How to pronounce dissident (audio)
Synonyms of dissidentnext
: disagreeing especially with an established religious or political system, organization, or belief
dissident elements in the armed forces
dissident noun

Examples of dissident in a Sentence

dissident elements within the Catholic Church
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Part of a wave of dissident departures, Carvajal’s defection was akin to a dam breaking, then-US Senator Marco Rubio said at the time. Max Saltman, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026 The government has blamed the attacks on the Jaime Martínez faction, a dissident group of the now-defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, operating in the region that did not adhere to the peace accord signed with the state in 2016. ABC News, 25 Apr. 2026 When dissident Republicans held up Kevin McCarthy’s election as speaker in early 2023, Massie—who for once was not among the rebels—pushed them to seek changes to House rules rather than merely a new leader. Russell Berman, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2026 In the 15 years since his 81-day detention by China’s Ministry of Public Security, artist and dissident artist Ai Weiwei has explicitly addressed the harrowing experience in his work. Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dissident

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dissident was in 1769

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dissident.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissident. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

dissident

adjective
dis·​si·​dent ˈdis-əd-ənt How to pronounce dissident (audio)
: disagreeing with an opinion or a group
dissident noun

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