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
Robin Yassin-Kassab, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
Offering a complete range of tailored clothing, leather jackets, footwear, and accessories, JV denotes the taste of high fashion with a rebel aesthetic.
—Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
This tour also features a gifted cast of singers new to San Diego, particularly Nick Rehberger as the fierce police officer Javert who relentlessy pursues Valjean; Christian Mark Gibbs as the noble student leader Enjolras; and Jake David Smith as student rebel Marius.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
Preaching the gospel of revolution, activists mobilized peasants and workers (and to a lesser degree, women) to rebel against inequality and exploitation.
—Kornel Chang
september 19, Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 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
Iran and later Russia dispatched troops to save him, while Turkey and Gulf states backed rebel militias.
—Robin Yassin-Kassab, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
Offering a complete range of tailored clothing, leather jackets, footwear, and accessories, JV denotes the taste of high fashion with a rebel aesthetic.
—Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
Jazz is an art form with an outsized share of mavericks, rebels, and creative dissidents who’ve built careers by blazing their own particular paths.
—Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
This tour also features a gifted cast of singers new to San Diego, particularly Nick Rehberger as the fierce police officer Javert who relentlessy pursues Valjean; Christian Mark Gibbs as the noble student leader Enjolras; and Jake David Smith as student rebel Marius.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
As if a 22-year-old with a trans girlfriend never rebelled against their family.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
Preaching the gospel of revolution, activists mobilized peasants and workers (and to a lesser degree, women) to rebel against inequality and exploitation.
—Kornel Chang
september 19, Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 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 22 Sep. 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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