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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dissidents
The Iranian government—one of the most repressive regimes in the world—has long relied on accusations of collaboration with hostile foreign powers, usually the United States or Israel, to silence journalists, activists, and dissidents.
—
Omid Memarian, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
Putin's decades-long rule in Russia has included allegedly orchestrating dozens of murders of dissidents like Alexei Navalny, using the country as his personal piggy bank and kidnapping thousands of Ukrainian children.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
Opposing the war might ruin the nation, so political dissidents had to be stopped, and the court affirmed the government’s right to silence strident speakers.
—Stephanie A, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2026
The polarizing vehicle with its unconventional design has become an effigy for political dissidents who take exception to Musk’s right-wing activism.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
Part of the reason the regime in Havana has been able to survive so long is that, unlike Venezuela, where several opposition parties are still legal, Fidel Castro abolished all opposition parties and dissidents like Ferrer are routinely sent to prison or exile.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
This style of family-power politics reliably produces dissidents and black sheep—in this case, Brandon, a son of Skeet’s younger brother.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
Political opponents across party lines and Chinese dissidents argue the decision prioritizes economic ties over national security and human rights concerns.
—Sylvia Hui, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Reza Pahlavi Can’t Save Them Other prominent dissidents, including Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi, remain inside Iran as political prisoners.
—Karl Vick, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
Omid Memarian, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
Putin's decades-long rule in Russia has included allegedly orchestrating dozens of murders of dissidents like Alexei Navalny, using the country as his personal piggy bank and kidnapping thousands of Ukrainian children.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
Opposing the war might ruin the nation, so political dissidents had to be stopped, and the court affirmed the government’s right to silence strident speakers.
—Stephanie A, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2026
The polarizing vehicle with its unconventional design has become an effigy for political dissidents who take exception to Musk’s right-wing activism.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
Part of the reason the regime in Havana has been able to survive so long is that, unlike Venezuela, where several opposition parties are still legal, Fidel Castro abolished all opposition parties and dissidents like Ferrer are routinely sent to prison or exile.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
This style of family-power politics reliably produces dissidents and black sheep—in this case, Brandon, a son of Skeet’s younger brother.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
Political opponents across party lines and Chinese dissidents argue the decision prioritizes economic ties over national security and human rights concerns.
—Sylvia Hui, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Reza Pahlavi Can’t Save Them Other prominent dissidents, including Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi, remain inside Iran as political prisoners.
—Karl Vick, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dissidents
dissenters
Noun
-
The alternative is a politics in which the state survives by making dissenters illegitimate as citizens.—
Stephanie A,
The Conversation,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Though the dissenters were in the minority, as this was the direction the movement was headed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dissidents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dissidents. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
