dissident

adjective

dis·​si·​dent ˈdi-sə-dənt 

: disagreeing especially with an established religious or political system, organization, or belief

dissident elements in the armed forces

dissident noun

Synonyms of dissident

• dissenting
• unconventional
• maverick
• nonconformist
• iconoclastic
• heretical
• out-there
• separatist

Examples of dissident in a Sentence

dissident elements within the Catholic Church

Recent Examples on the Web

On Thursday, Turkey voiced opposition to Iranian Kurdish dissident groups’ possible involvement in the conflict in Iran, warning of greater instability in the region. —ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026

Lawdan Bazargan, an Iranian political and human rights activist who was imprisoned by the regime for her dissident activities in the 1980s, told Fox News Digital there is a dangerous precedent for a total unified opposition. —Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 4 Mar. 2026

Among the many imprisoned was dissident rapper Toomaj Salehi, who over the course of three years spent more time behind bars than out of them. —Lily Moayeri, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2026

But unfortunately, as often happens in dissident movements, Iranians have been much better at tearing one another down than finding points of commonality. —Stephanie Bai, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026

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

Kids Definition

dissident

adjective

dis·​si·​dent ˈdis-əd-ənt 

: disagreeing with an opinion or a group

dissident noun