Definition of REBEL

rebel

Plural: rebels

Noun

  • `Johnny' was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; `greyback' derived from their grey Confederate uniforms
  • a person who takes part in an armed rebellion against the constituted authority (especially in the hope of improving conditions)
  • someone who exhibits great independence in thought and action
  • A person who resists an established authority, often violently.
  • Synonym of Confederate: a citizen of the Confederate States of America, especially a Confederate soldier.

Verb

Verb Forms: rebelled, rebelling, rebels

  • To oppose or resist authority or an established government.
  • take part in a rebellion; renounce a former allegiance
  • break with established customs
  • To resist or become defiant toward an authority.
  • To forcefully subvert the law of the land in an attempt to replace it with another form of government.

Examples

  • A group of rebels defied the general's orders and split off from the main army.
  • My little sister is such a rebel - coming home late, piercing her ears, and refusing to do any of her chores.
  • Some Scrabble players rebel against common strategies, preferring unconventional plays.
  • to rebel against the system

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English rebel, rebell, from Old French rebelle, from Latin rebellis (“waging war again; insurgent”), from rebellō (“I wage war again, fight back”), from re- (“again, back”) + bellō (“I wage war”).

Synonyms

arise, freedom fighter, greyback, insurgent, insurrectionist, Johnny, Johnny Reb, maverick, Reb, renegade, rise, rise up, Confederate, defy

Antonyms

obey, submit

Scrabble Score: 7

rebel: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
rebel: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
rebel: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 9

rebel: valid Words With Friends Word