rebels

NOUN

person who does not obey

Synonyms

STRONGEST

guerrilla insurgent opponent rioter secessionist separatist

STRONG

agitator anarchist antagonist apostate demagogue deserter dissenter experimenter heretic iconoclast independent individualist innovator malcontent mutineer nihilist nonconformist recreant renegade resistance revolutionary revolutionist subverter traitor turncoat

WEAK

disectarian experientialist frondeur insurrectionary overthrower revolter schismatic seditionist

Antonyms

STRONG

adherent loyalist

VERB

refuse to obey

Synonyms

STRONGEST

defy overthrow renounce resist revolt secede take up arms

STRONG

boycott censure combat criticize denounce disobey dissent fight mutiny oppose overturn remonstrate riot strike upset

WEAK

be insubordinate break with come out against drop out get out of line insurrect make waves opt out rise up rock the boat run amok turn against

Antonyms

STRONGEST

comply give in obey surrender yield

STRONG

agree approve compliment endorse laud lose make peace praise sanction support

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At one point, the rebels threatened to unseat the junta.

From Barron's • Jul. 10, 2026

A combined offensive among some rebels starting late 2023 saw them win stunning advances, bearing down on the second largest city Mandalay -- with speculation they may even capture the ancient royal capital.

From Barron's • Jul. 1, 2026

More than two years ago, the rebels made a series of sweeping gains, but they have since been put on the back foot.

From BBC • Jun. 22, 2026

He is remembered as a conciliator of the American rebels and the author of schemes to reform the corrupted and unrepresentative House of Commons.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026

The Virginian rebels knew this: Their rifles’ range and accuracy extended far beyond the feeble throw of our muskets.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson