1
a
: opposing or taking arms against a government or ruler
b
: of or relating to rebels
the rebel camp
2
rebelled; rebelling
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
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
Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 9 Aug. 2025
Martial law and a state of emergency would be imposed in more than 60 townships across nine regions and states due to the threat of violence and insurgency, the report said, many in border areas where the military is facing unprecedented resistance from rebel groups.
—CNN Money, 1 Aug. 2025
Ladan Anoushfar, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
In 2024, a group of UN experts said that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops were fighting alongside the rebels.
—Pol Ballús, New York Times, 30 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for rebel
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.
Adjective
After all, in Andor, a rebel alliance pushes back against an emperor.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 9 Aug. 2025
Martial law and a state of emergency would be imposed in more than 60 townships across nine regions and states due to the threat of violence and insurgency, the report said, many in border areas where the military is facing unprecedented resistance from rebel groups.
—CNN Money, 1 Aug. 2025
Noun
According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, last year was the worst year yet for peace in the country since a 2016 deal was struck between the FARC, Colombia’s largest rebel group, and the Colombian state.
—Ladan Anoushfar, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
In 2024, a group of UN experts said that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops were fighting alongside the rebels.
—Pol Ballús, New York Times, 30 July 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
See All Example Sentences for rebel
Cite this Entry
“Rebel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rebel. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share