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.

Masada, in the Judean Desert, is where Jewish rebels chose death over surrender to Rome.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

Cuban forces supported rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while troops helped Ethiopia repel a Somali invasion.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026

Neither the government nor the rebels have said whether they would be willing to put aside their differences to work together to tackle the outbreak.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

Iranian-backed armed groups equipped with drones are based in Iraq, while Tehran's allies in Yemen -- the Houthi rebels -- also possess combat-grade UAVs.

From Barron's • May 17, 2026

So he faced his father, and kept his head held high as he said, “Perrington wishes to use Nehemia as some sort of hostage in order to make the Eyllwe rebels obey.”

From "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas