Synonyms of dissidents

dissidents

noun

plural of dissident

as in dissenters

a person who believes, teaches, or advocates something opposed to accepted beliefs

the conference drew political dissidents of every ilk

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dissenters
• renegades
• heretics
• nonconformists
• dissentients
• separatists
• defectors
• heresiarchs
• infidels
• sectarians
• schismatics
• unbelievers
• apostates
• bohemians
• individualists
• separationists
• disbelievers
• misbelievers

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• believers
• conformists
• conformers

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of dissidents

Under Beijing’s tightening grip, lawyers assisting those whom authorities viewed as dissidents also have faced pressure. — Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Critics say Wong’s case showed the authorities’ determination to silence prominent dissidents, chilling civic activism. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026

Smokejumpers kicked cargo destined for mountain villages in Vietnam, Hmong rebels in Laos, and Muslim dissidents in China. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

As Mikhail Gorbachev became Soviet premier and promised new openness with a policy of glasnost, a slow thaw would begin toward free speech, human rights, the release of political dissidents and relaxed restrictions on emigration. — Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026

The deportation of Iranians to a country whose government has a pattern of violent persecution against women, religious minorities and political dissidents has drawn significant criticism from human rights activists. — CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Thankfully, spyware is still very targeted at journalists, dissidents, government officials and businesses operating in certain sectors, but the net is widening, with criminals using the malware to attack businesses in finance and other industries. — Kate O'Flaherty, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

In Cauca department, FARC dissidents used explosives to destroy a tollbooth under construction along the Pan-American Highway near Santander de Quilichao, according to the army. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Aug. 2026

However, the Memorandum of Understanding between the US and Iran – which laid out a long-term pathway to peace – made no mention of protesters, persecuted dissidents or human rights. — Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 28 July 2026