rebel
REHB-uhl
Rebel (noun) means a person who fights against or refuses to obey an established authority. Example: “As a teenager, he was a bit of a rebel and dyed his hair green.”
noun
1
A person who fights against or refuses to obey an established authority.
"As a teenager, he was a bit of a rebel and dyed his hair green."
"The film follows a young rebel who challenges the rules of her strict school."
"The rebels seized control of the capital overnight."
verb
1
To resist or refuse to obey authority, rules, or convention.
"Teenagers often rebel when adults tell them exactly what to do."
"She rebelled against her parents' strict curfew."
"The colonies rebelled against the crown's taxes."
How to use rebel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who fights or resists authority, or (as a verb) the act of resisting rules, expectations, or a government.
When to use it
Note the stress shift: the noun is REB-el, the verb is re-BEL.
Common pairings
rebel against
teenage rebel
rebel forces
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Word forms
- Plural
- rebels
- Third person singular
- rebels
- Past tense
- rebelled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
As a teenager, he was a bit of a _____ and dyed his hair green.
Etymology
From Old French rebelle, from Latin rebellis ("waging war again"), from re- ("again") plus bellum ("war").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for rebel
See all rhymes for rebel →Frequently asked questions
What does “rebel” mean?
The word “rebel” means a person who fights against or refuses to obey an established authority. In plain terms, someone who fights or resists authority, or (as a verb) the act of resisting rules, expectations, or a government.
How do you pronounce “rebel”?
“Rebel” is pronounced REHB-uhl (/ˈɹɛb.əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “rebel” in a sentence?
Here is “rebel” used in a sentence: “The rebels seized control of the capital overnight.”
What is another word for “rebel”?
Words with a similar meaning to “rebel” include defy.
What is the opposite of “rebel”?
The opposite of “rebel” — its antonyms — are obey and submit.
What part of speech is “rebel”?
Depending on how it is used, “rebel” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “rebel” come from?
The word “rebel” comes from Latin. From Old French rebelle, from Latin rebellis ("waging war again"), from re- ("again") plus bellum ("war").
Is “rebel” a common word?
“Rebel” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
Does the stress in rebel change between the noun and the verb?
Yes. The noun rebel is stressed on the first syllable (REB-el), while the verb rebel is stressed on the second (ri-BEL). The same noun-verb stress shift appears in pairs like record, permit, and protest.
What preposition do you use with rebel?
The verb rebel takes against: people rebel against authority, rules, or convention. "Rebel against" is by far the standard collocation in modern English.
What is the difference between a rebel and a revolutionary?
A rebel is anyone who fights against or refuses to obey an established authority, from an armed fighter to a teenager defying convention. A revolutionary aims specifically to overthrow a system, usually a government, and replace it with a new one, so the word implies a programme of change rather than resistance alone.
What is the difference between rebel and rebellious?
Rebel is the noun and the verb: a rebel resists authority, and to rebel is to resist or refuse to obey it. Rebellious is the adjective, describing people or behaviour inclined to rebel, as in "a rebellious streak" or "rebellious teenagers."
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