rebel

SayREB-uhl/ˈɹɛbəl/

As a verbri-BEL

4 meanings of rebel

1
nouncountable
Someone who fights against the people or government in charge.
Like a student who refuses to obey the teacher and tries to change the rules.
The rebels took control of the city after months of fighting.
He was a rebel who refused to follow the king's orders.
Similarinsurgent, revolutionary, insurrectionist, dissident
Oppositeloyalist
Note
2
verbintransitive
To refuse to obey someone in charge and stand against them.
Like a dog that refuses to follow its owner's commands.
Teenagers often rebel against their parents' strict rules.
The workers rebelled when their pay was cut.
Similarrevolt, resist, protest
Oppositeconform, obey, submit
Note
3
verbintransitive
To rise up by force against a government and try to replace it.
Like workers who take over a factory to run it their own way.
The people rebelled against the cruel king and set up a new government.
Soldiers may rebel if they lose faith in their leaders.
Similarrevolt, rise
Oppositesubmit
Note
4
nounhistoricalUScountable
A person from the Southern states during the American Civil War, especially a soldier.
The rebels held the ridge for three days before the Union troops broke through.
A captured rebel was marched north to the prison camp.
SimilarConfederate
OppositeYankee, Federal
Note

Practice

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Origins

Meanings 1, 4

From Latin rebellis, meaning someone who wages war again or rises up, from re- ("again, back") plus bellō ("I wage war"). It came into English through Old French.

Meanings 2–3

From Latin rebellō, meaning "I wage war again, fight back," from re- ("again, back") plus bellō ("I wage war"). It came into English through Old French.