Synonyms for rebel
- noun
- verb
Most common
maverick renegade iconoclast malcontent traitor insurgent johnny
Synonyms by meaning
Noun
1. Renegade — A person who resists an established authority, often violently
renegade, maverick, iconoclast, malcontent, recusant, refusenik, refuser
2. Insurgent
insurgent, traitor, freedom fighter, insurrectionist, revolter
Verb
Definitions
- n. 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.
- n. 2
Synonym of Confederate: a citizen of the Confederate States of America, especially a Confederate soldier.
- v. 1
To resist or become defiant toward an authority.
to rebel against the system
Related words
- Word family
- reb rebellion rebellious
Choose the right word
Insurgent marks an early, and rebel a more advanced, stage of opposition to government.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Example sentences
- maverick They have a maverick disregard for fashion.
- renegade Taiwan is a renegade province of China.
- iconoclast Professor Jackson is a professional iconoclast.
- traitor Their leader is regarded as a traitor to the nation.
- insurgent Ukraine is losing more territory to insurgent forces.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| rebel | rising | |
| maverick | rising | |
| renegade | steady | |
| iconoclast | rising | |
| malcontent | steady | |
| traitor | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 3 letters
- reb
- 4 letters
- turn1, rise1, defy2
- 5 letters
- arise2
- 6 letters
- strike1, johnny2, revolt2, mutiny3
- 7 letters
- traitor2, refuser
- 8 letters
- maverick3, renegade3, recusant, greyback, revolter
- 9 letters
- insurgent3, refusenik3
- 10 letters
- iconoclast4, malcontent3
- 15 letters
- insurrectionist
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (defy2 = 2 syllables).