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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

dissident

DIH-sih-duhnt

Dissident (noun) means a person who openly opposes a government or political system they live under. Example: “The dissident spent years in exile after criticizing the regime.”

noun
1
A person who openly opposes a government or political system they live under.
"The dissident spent years in exile after criticizing the regime."
"Several dissidents were arrested for organizing the protest."

How to use dissident

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who speaks out or acts against the government or authority in power.

Common pairings
political dissident jailed dissident dissident group

Word forms

more dissident comparative, dissidents plural, most dissident superlative

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ spent years in exile after criticizing the regime.

Etymology

From Latin dissidens, "sitting apart, disagreeing," from dis- + sedere ("to sit").

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for dissident

See all rhymes for dissident →

Frequently asked questions

What does “dissident” mean?

The word “dissident” means a person who openly opposes a government or political system they live under. In plain terms, someone who speaks out or acts against the government or authority in power.

How do you pronounce “dissident”?

“Dissident” is pronounced DIH-sih-duhnt (/ˈdɪsɪdənt/ in IPA).

How do you use “dissident” in a sentence?

Here is “dissident” used in a sentence: “The dissident spent years in exile after criticizing the regime.”

What part of speech is “dissident”?

“Dissident” is a noun.

Where does the word “dissident” come from?

The word “dissident” comes from Latin. From Latin dissidens, "sitting apart, disagreeing," from dis- + sedere ("to sit").

Is “dissident” a common word?

“Dissident” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

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