rebel
Other forms: rebels; rebelled; rebelling
When you rebel against your parents by dyeing your hair green and staying out without calling, you are acting in a way that questions both their authority and their rules about what is right and acceptable.
A rebel is someone who fights authority. The story of a rebel often finds its way into books and movies. In the 1950s film "Rebel without a Cause," a teenager rebels against his parents. In the "Star Wars" movies, the Jedi rebel against the Empire. A rebel, whether the cause they are fighting for is just or not, is always the underdog. One pronunciation hint, rebel as a noun has the stress on the first syllable and as a verb on the second.
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someone who exhibits great independence in thought and actionsynonyms: maverick
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a person who takes part in an armed rebellion against the constituted authority (especially in the hope of improving conditions)synonyms: freedom fighter, insurgent, insurrectionistexamples:Nat TurnerUnited States slave and insurrectionist who in 1831 led a rebellion of slaves in Virginia; he was captured and executed (1800-1831)Denmark VeseyUnited States freed slave and insurrectionist in South Carolina who was involved in planning an uprising of slaves and was hanged (1767-1822)Sir William WallaceScottish insurgent who led the resistance to Edward I; in 1297 he gained control of Scotland briefly until Edward invaded Scotland again and defeated Wallace and subsequently executed him (1270-1305)types:mutineersomeone who is openly rebellious and refuses to obey authorities (especially seamen or soldiers)Young Turka member of one or more of the insurgent groups in Turkey in the late 19th century who rebelled against the absolutism of Ottoman ruletype of:crusader, meliorist, reformer, reformist, social reformera person or group who pushes to improve an institution or system by changing itrevolutionary, revolutionist, subversive, subvertera radical supporter of political or social revolution
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take part in a rebellion; renounce a former allegiance
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break with established customs
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Vocabulary lists containing rebel
If you're spoiling for a fight, learn these words from the Latin roots belli ("war") and milit ("soldier").
Declare your independence and master these words related to the American Revolution. Learn all about the conflict between the colonists and the redcoats, from the Boston Tea Party to the British surrender at Yorktown. Explore causes of the war and review major battles, key historical figures, and the structure of the new American republic.