1
a
: opposing or taking arms against a government or ruler
b
: of or relating to rebels
the rebel camp
2
rebelled; rebelling
1
a
: to oppose or disobey one in authority or control
b
: to renounce and resist by force the authority of one's government
2
a
: to act in or show opposition or disobedience
rebelled against the conventions of polite society
b
: to feel or exhibit anger or revulsion
rebelled at the injustice of life
Examples of rebel in a Sentence
Adjective
today's rebel chefs feel free to ignore the dictates of classic French cuisine
Noun
The government captured six armed rebels.
He was a rebel against the school administration.
He is a typical teenage rebel.
Verb
When the government imposed more taxes, the people rebelled.
The protesters are rebelling against the new tax law.
Children often rebel against their parents.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 11 Apr. 2025
In the wake of the earthquake, the shadow government in exile, known as the National Unity Government, and an alliance of three rebel groups announced cease-fires.
—Sui-Lee Wee, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025
Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
The new campaign of airstrikes started after the rebels threatened to resume targeting Israeli ships over Israel’s blocking of aid entering the Gaza Strip.
—Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 8 Apr. 2025
Broad stock indexes have now erased their post-electoral gains as investors rebel against the prospect of higher costs.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rebel
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
Lamar Johnson’s Henry Burrell was a collaborator on the run from a rebel group different from The Fireflies in Kansas City, where the QZ and all FEDRA presence had been dissolved.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 11 Apr. 2025
In the wake of the earthquake, the shadow government in exile, known as the National Unity Government, and an alliance of three rebel groups announced cease-fires.
—Sui-Lee Wee, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
Its members include Lebanon's Hezbollah, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq and Yemen's Houthi rebels.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
The new campaign of airstrikes started after the rebels threatened to resume targeting Israeli ships over Israel’s blocking of aid entering the Gaza Strip.
—Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
Democrats believe the rebelling conservatives will fold in the end.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 8 Apr. 2025
Broad stock indexes have now erased their post-electoral gains as investors rebel against the prospect of higher costs.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rebel
Cite this Entry
“Rebel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rebel. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rebel
1 of 3 adjective
reb·el
ˈreb-əl 
1
: being or fighting against one's government or ruler
2
: not obeying
rebel
2 of 3 noun
: a person who refuses to give in to authority
rebel
3 of 3 verb
re·bel
ri-ˈbel
rebelled; rebelling
1
: to be against or fight against authority and especially the authority of one's government
2
: to feel or show anger or strong dislike
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