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

Simon and Hervée talked about their experiences working with dissident Iranian filmmakers Mohammad Rasoulof on The Seed of the Sacred Fig and Maryam Moqadam and Behtash Sanaeeha on My Favourite Cake respectively. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2025

Additionally, the board was critical of the dissident group’s methods in seeking out an overhaul at ZIM. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 9 Dec. 2025

The wins were even more notable for coming hours after the dissident filmmaker was sentenced to prison in absentia by Iran’s Revolutionary Tribunal. —Nate Jones, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025

Pras was also accused of using this money to create a back-channel campaign to extradite the Chinese dissident Guo Wengui back to China from the United States. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Nov. 2025

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