as in dissenters
a person who believes, teaches, or advocates something opposed to accepted beliefs
the conference drew political dissidents of every ilk
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Recent Examples of dissidents
The Islamic Republic of Iran has accelerated its executions of dissidents and activists, with the true number of victims likely obscured by the regime’s internet censorship and blackout.
—
Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
The second World Cup, in 1934, was held in Benito Mussolini’s Italy and served his blustery model of fascism; 1978’s edition took place in Argentina, in the middle of its military junta and the disappearance of tens of thousands of dissidents.
—Chris Jones, The Atlantic, 7 June 2026
What once seemed like an agitator railing against the system has become a gatekeeper crushing dissidents under his thumb.
—Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 29 May 2026
That’s pushed some Chinese dissidents toward more unconventional escape routes, instead of travelling through neighboring countries such as Vietnam or Thailand, which have a mixed record on protecting Chinese dissidents.
—Yoonjung Seo, CNN Money, 27 May 2026
Is Cuba willing to dialogue with Cuban dissidents and grant amnesty to political prisoners?
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
Avital was generating support for her husband, who had been arrested a year before and charged with treason, and other Soviet dissidents.
—Michael Arkush, Twin Cities, 26 May 2026
The case has become one of the most emblematic examples cited by rights organizations accusing Venezuela’s security apparatus of using arbitrary detention, incommunicado imprisonment and forced disappearances against dissidents and suspected opponents.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 18 May 2026
As dissidents are detained, journalists jailed, and freedom of expression extinguished, lawyers are often the last line of defense.
—Irwin Cotler, Time, 8 May 2026
Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
The second World Cup, in 1934, was held in Benito Mussolini’s Italy and served his blustery model of fascism; 1978’s edition took place in Argentina, in the middle of its military junta and the disappearance of tens of thousands of dissidents.
—Chris Jones, The Atlantic, 7 June 2026
What once seemed like an agitator railing against the system has become a gatekeeper crushing dissidents under his thumb.
—Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 29 May 2026
That’s pushed some Chinese dissidents toward more unconventional escape routes, instead of travelling through neighboring countries such as Vietnam or Thailand, which have a mixed record on protecting Chinese dissidents.
—Yoonjung Seo, CNN Money, 27 May 2026
Is Cuba willing to dialogue with Cuban dissidents and grant amnesty to political prisoners?
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
Avital was generating support for her husband, who had been arrested a year before and charged with treason, and other Soviet dissidents.
—Michael Arkush, Twin Cities, 26 May 2026
The case has become one of the most emblematic examples cited by rights organizations accusing Venezuela’s security apparatus of using arbitrary detention, incommunicado imprisonment and forced disappearances against dissidents and suspected opponents.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 18 May 2026
As dissidents are detained, journalists jailed, and freedom of expression extinguished, lawyers are often the last line of defense.
—Irwin Cotler, Time, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dissidents
dissenters
Noun
-
Even if no charges ultimately are filed, the attorneys contended in interviews that rooting out identities of dissenters is at the very least an intimidation tactic.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
-
Their comments triggered a deluge of backlash from the media and fans alike; their songs were pulled from country radio stations; the band was jeered at during live appearances; and some dissenters even took to destroying their CDs.—
Jaeden Pinder,
Rolling Stone,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dissidents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dissidents. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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