Cool MateRebel
UK /["/ˈrebl/"]/US /["/ˈrebl/"]/
Definition
a person who fights against the government of their country
In simple words: A person who does not follow rules and fights against authority.
Examples
- The rebel refused to obey the king's orders and sparked a rebellion.
- During the civil war, many rebels took up arms against the government.
- She was a rebel in school, always challenging the strict rules.
- The young artist was seen as a rebel in the traditional art community.
Usage notes
Used to describe someone who opposes authority or tradition. Can be positive (e.g., freedom fighter) or negative (e.g., troublemaker) depending on context.
Grammar pattern
rebel + against + authority
Memory hint
Think of 'rebel' as 're-bell' — someone ringing a bell to challenge the status quo.
Collocations
- anti-government
- leftist
- left-wing
- band
- group
- back
- help
- support
- be based…
- advance
- attack something
- faction
- group
- movement
- against the rebel
- rebel against
- a bit of a rebel
- something of a rebel
- anti-government
- leftist
- left-wing
- band
- group
- back
- help
- support
- be based…
- advance
- attack something
- faction
- group
- movement
- against the rebel
- rebel against
- a bit of a rebel
- something of a rebel
- anti-government
- leftist
- left-wing
- band
- group
- back
- help
- support
- be based…
- advance
- attack something
- faction
- group
- movement
- against the rebel
- rebel against
- a bit of a rebel
- something of a rebel
Synonyms
- insurgent
- dissenter
- revolutionary
- nonconformist
- defector
Antonyms
- follower
- obedient
- conformist
Common mistakes
- 'Rebel' is often confused with 'rebel against' — make sure to use the correct phrase.
- Learners may omit the subject when saying, 'He rebels' instead of 'He is a rebel.'
- Confusion between 'rebel' as a noun and 'rebel' as a verb.