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
CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026
He was denounced by rebel propagandists as a tyrant and remembered by Americans as a reactionary dolt.
—Bhumika Tharoor, The Atlantic, 30 Dec. 2025
Emily Brooks, The Hill, 4 Jan. 2026
Coulibaly left his West African homeland due to the political unrest caused by the civil war between President Laurent Gbagbo’s government and rebel forces led by the Patriotic Movement of Ivory Coast (MPCI).
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2026
Emily Brooks, The Hill, 4 Jan. 2026
Set in the beginning of the 20th century, the work revolves around the fortunes of titular Fleur, a young girl who rebels against her life in a slum on the outskirts of Paris and seeks out the bright lights of the Belle Epoque capital.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rebel
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Adjective
Two men are targeted by the rebel army who overthrew the government of Colonel Jacobo Arbenz Guzman.
—CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026
He was denounced by rebel propagandists as a tyrant and remembered by Americans as a reactionary dolt.
—Bhumika Tharoor, The Atlantic, 30 Dec. 2025
Noun
The rebels and Democratic leaders can force a vote on the matter in mid-January.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 4 Jan. 2026
Coulibaly left his West African homeland due to the political unrest caused by the civil war between President Laurent Gbagbo’s government and rebel forces led by the Patriotic Movement of Ivory Coast (MPCI).
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2026
Verb
The House is set to vote on a bill to extend the subsidies as-is for three years after four Republicans rebelled against GOP leaders and joined a Democratic effort to force the measure to the floor.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 4 Jan. 2026
Set in the beginning of the 20th century, the work revolves around the fortunes of titular Fleur, a young girl who rebels against her life in a slum on the outskirts of Paris and seeks out the bright lights of the Belle Epoque capital.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rebel
Cite this Entry
“Rebel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rebel. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
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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