rebel
nounverbcommon in dialogue
- Australia//ˈɹeb.əl//
- Australia//ɹɪˈbel//
- //ˈɹɛb.əl//
- //ɹɪˈbɛl//
A person who resists an established authority, often violently.
noun
- 1
A person who resists an established authority, often violently.
A group of rebels defied the general's orders and split off from the main army.
My little sister is such a rebel - coming home late, piercing her ears, and refusing to do any of her chores.
- 2
historicalSynonym of Confederate: a citizen of the Confederate States of America, especially a Confederate soldier.
Etymology
From Middle English rebel, rebell, from Old French rebelle, from Latin rebellis (“waging war again; insurgent”), from rebellō (“to wage war again, fight back”), from re- (“again, back”) + bellō (“to wage war”).
verb
- 1
To resist or become defiant toward an authority.
to rebel against the system
"Tedd's feeling a bit rebellious." "I'm not rebelling! I'm self actualizing! By rebelling."
- 2
To forcefully subvert the law of the land in an attempt to replace it with another form of government.
Etymology
From Middle English rebellen, from Old French rebeller, from Latin rebellō (“to wage war again, fight back”), from re- (“again, back”) + bellō (“to wage war”). Doublet of revel.
Forms
- plural
- rebels
- past tense
- rebelled
- past participle
- rebelled
- present participle
- rebelling
- third person singular
- rebels
rebel · A person who resists an established authority, often violently.
Rebel · A Confederate soldier; of the American Civil War.rebellion · Armed resistance to an established government or ruler.rebellious · Showing rebellion.