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
Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 22 June 2025
But on Friday, the beer maker said the situation had deteriorated further, and that armed personnel had taken control of its facilities in Bukavu and Goma - eastern Congo’s two biggest cities, now under rebel control - and nearby areas.
—Reuters, CNN Money, 20 June 2025
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
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
See All Example Sentences for rebel
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
Serena became an integral part of the rebel movement to destroy Gilead.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 22 June 2025
But on Friday, the beer maker said the situation had deteriorated further, and that armed personnel had taken control of its facilities in Bukavu and Goma - eastern Congo’s two biggest cities, now under rebel control - and nearby areas.
—Reuters, CNN Money, 20 June 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
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 Jul. 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
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