rebel

1 of 3

adjective

reb·​el ˈre-bəl 

1

a

: opposing or taking arms against a government or ruler

b

: of or relating to rebels

the rebel camp

2

: disobedient, rebellious

rebel

2 of 3

noun

: one who rebels or participates in a rebellion

rebel

3 of 3

verb

re·​bel ri-ˈbel 

rebelled; rebelling

intransitive verb

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

Synonyms

Adjective

• rebellious
• defiant

Noun

• insurgent
• revolutionary

Verb

• revolt
• mutiny

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

Adjective

Tucked in a corner of the dining room is what Price claims is the last photo ever taken of the rebel abolitionist John Brown, set in an ornate and rusted frame. —Kevin Lozano, New Yorker, 6 July 2025

The bill passed in a vote Tuesday night but only after steep concessions to rebel lawmakers who opposed cuts to disability benefits. —Chloe Taylor,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 2 July 2025

Noun

Yemen's Houthi rebels, aligned with Iran, have continued to launch attacks in the region despite the truce, including previous drone and missile strikes targeting Israel. —Amanda Castro hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025

Young-il manages to separate from the group and betrays the rebels, killing two of them and faking his own death. —Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025

Verb

Wait, there’s a both-sides approach to the company and the workers rebelling against it? —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 25 June 2025

Newsweek Contributors Debate For decades, Iranians have organized, protested, and rebelled for greater freedom. —Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin rebellis, from re- + bellum war, from Old Latin duellum

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing rebel

• rebel yell

Rhymes for rebel

• jebel
• nebel
• pebble
• treble
• jezebel

Kids 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