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
ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
The Rebel Loon Project, which uses a a version of the rebel loon logo shared online as available for free use, has heard from supporters of other MLS teams.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 27 Feb. 2026
Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
While Machar is currently on trial for offenses including treason, fighting has intensified in areas seen as his strongholds, where government troops are trying to disperse the rebels.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
Her father, who as a teenager in Tallinn began to rebel against Sovietization, insisted on teaching Stasevska and her two younger brothers to speak Ukrainian at home.
—Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rebel
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Adjective
Colombia’s government has struggled to contain drug traffickers and rebel groups that are now fighting over territory abandoned by the nation’s largest guerrilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, following its 2016 peace deal with the government.
—ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
The Rebel Loon Project, which uses a a version of the rebel loon logo shared online as available for free use, has heard from supporters of other MLS teams.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
These are Loyalists who have been killed by rebels.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
While Machar is currently on trial for offenses including treason, fighting has intensified in areas seen as his strongholds, where government troops are trying to disperse the rebels.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
During the rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi Kurds were marginalized and repressed and sometimes rebelled.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
Her father, who as a teenager in Tallinn began to rebel against Sovietization, insisted on teaching Stasevska and her two younger brothers to speak Ukrainian at home.
—Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rebel
Cite this Entry
“Rebel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rebel. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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
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