First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1rebel
adjective reb·el \ˈre-bəl\
Definition of REBEL
1
a : opposing or taking arms against a government or ruler b : of or relating to rebels <the rebel camp>
2
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Origin of REBEL
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin rebellis, from re- + bellum war, from Old Latin duellum
Related to REBEL
- Synonyms
- balky, contrary, contumacious, defiant, froward, incompliant, insubordinate, intractable, obstreperous, disobedient, rebellious, recalcitrant, recusant, refractory, restive, ungovernable, unruly, untoward, wayward, willful (or wilful)
- Antonyms
- amenable, biddable, compliant, conformable, docile, obedient, ruly, submissive, tractable
Other Government and Politics Terms
2rebel
noun
: a person who opposes or fights against a government
: a person who opposes a person or group in authority : a person who does not obey rules or accept normal standards of behavior, dress, etc.
Full Definition of REBEL
See rebel defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of REBEL
14th century
Related to REBEL
- Synonyms
- insurgent, insurrectionary, insurrectionist, mutineer, red, revolter, revolutionary, revolutionist
Other Government and Politics Terms
Rhymes with REBEL
band shell, barbell, Becquerel, Blackwell, bluebell, bombshell, bridewell, cadelle, cartel, chandelle, Chanel, clamshell, compel, cormel, cornel, corral, cowbell, cupel, diel, dispel, doorbell, dry cell, dry well, dumbbell, duxelles, ear shell, eggshell, excel, expel, farewell, fat cell, foretell, fuel cell, gazelle, germ cell, Glaspell, gromwell, groundswell, half shell, handbell, hard sell, hard-shell, harebell, hotel, impel, indwell, inkwell, Jarrell, jurel, Kandel, lampshell, lapel, Mandel, marcel, maxwell, Maxwell, micelle, misspell, morel, motel, nacelle, nerve cell, Nobel, noel, nouvelle, nutshell, oil well, Orel, Orwell, outsell, pall-mall, Parnell, pastel, pell-mell, pixel, pointelle, Ponselle, presell, propel, quenelle, rakehell, rappel, Ravel, refel, repel, respell, retell, riel, rondel, Roswell, saurel, scalpel, seashell, sequel, sleigh bell, soft sell, soft-shell, solgel, speedwell, spinel, stairwell, star shell, stem cell, tooth shell, unsell, unwell, upwell, wind-bell
3rebel
verb re·bel \ri-ˈbel\
: to oppose or fight against a government
: to oppose a person or group in authority : to refuse to obey rules or accept normal standards of behavior, dress, etc.
re·belledre·bel·ling
Full Definition of REBEL
intransitive verb
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>
See rebel defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of REBEL
14th century
Other Government and Politics Terms
REBEL Defined for Kids
1rebel
noun reb·el \ˈre-bəl\
Definition of REBEL for Kids
1
: a person who opposes or fights against a government
2
: a person who does not obey authority or follow usual standards
2rebel
verb re·bel \ri-ˈbel\
re·belledre·bel·ling
Definition of REBEL for Kids
1
: to be or fight against authority and especially the authority of a person's government
2
: to feel or show anger, strong dislike, or disapproval <“She wanted to make it a whole purple suit, but I rebelled.” — Louise Fitzhugh, Harriet the Spy>
3rebel
adjective reb·el \ˈre-bəl\
Definition of REBEL for Kids
: opposing or fighting against a government or ruler
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