DISSIDENT Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

dissident 1 of 2

adjective

ˈdi-sə-dənt

Definition of dissident

as in dissenting

deviating from commonly accepted beliefs or practices dissident elements within the Catholic Church

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dissident

2 of 2

noun

as in dissenter

a person who believes, teaches, or advocates something opposed to accepted beliefs the conference drew political dissidents of every ilk

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of dissident

Adjective

The dissident Bull Moose Party nominated former President Teddy Roosevelt for president after Republicans declined to do so. — USA Today, 21 July 2026 His release, however, does not mean Cuba’s crackdown on dissident artists is finally over. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 20 July 2026

Noun

Thankfully, spyware is still very targeted at journalists, dissidents, government officials and businesses operating in certain sectors, but the net is widening, with criminals using the malware to attack businesses in finance and other industries. — Kate O'Flaherty, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026 Nikolai’s identity as a dissident made remaining in the country dangerous. — Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dissident

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dissident

Adjective

The Fed’s interest rate-setting committee is divided and saw the most dissenting votes in more than three decades last month.

— Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 13 May 2026
Board member Renee Paschall cast the lone dissenting vote on the final package.

— Elizabeth Sander, San Antonio Express-News, 19 Aug. 2022

Definition of dissenting

Noun

The Basij boosted its presence during the war, and hard-liners have held nightly rallies in Tehran and other cities, drumming up support and intimidating any possible dissenters.

— Lee Keath, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Since joining the court in 2022, Jackson has become a prolific and passionate dissenter, unafraid to criticize the conservative majority even when her fellow liberal justices do not always join her.

— Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of dissenter

Adjective

Munetaka Murakami made the quick decision to step on the bag and then throw to the plate, where catcher Drew Romo tagged out Trevor Larnach for an unconventional inning-ending double play.

— LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
All the drama from last week’s showdown with the season-21 designers is resolved by season 22 winning the unconventional-materials challenge.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of unconventional

Adjective

The design was by aviation legend Burt Rutan, known for his bold and often maverick creations.

— Jacopo Prisco, CNN, 27 Jan. 2023
But the true landmark was Pierre Balmain’s Vent Vert, created by maverick female perfumer Germaine Cellier (also the mastermind behind Robert Piguet’s showstopping Fracas) in 1947.

— Town & Country, Town & Country, 19 Dec. 2022

Definition of maverick

Adjective

This dogmatic approach to revolutionary citizenship led to the horrible treatment of any perceived as nonconformist, such as LGBTQ people, hippies or punks.

— Juan Carlos Albarran, The Conversation, 13 July 2026
In the end, Levine’s profile of the nonconformist genius reveals just how superb a dancer Cole was.

— R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026

Definition of nonconformist

Adjective

Within years, the iconoclastic comic was a weary and defeated man — broke, baggy-eyed, and prematurely old.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
But for the iconoclastic Coppola, a desire to work with an up-and-coming actor, who his friends Brian De Palma and Martin Scorsese had discovered and was not yet a star, became the other key impetus to make the film.

— Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of iconoclastic

Adjective

That led to cycles of reform and renovation, as well as backlash, chiefly from cultural conservatives, who saw the adoption of western European habits and attitudes as abominable and even heretical.

— Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
In the 14th century, Bibles in English became associated with John Wycliffe, a priest who criticized corruption in the Catholic Church, and whose views on Holy Communion the church had declared heretical.

— Michael Bruening, The Conversation, 30 June 2026

Definition of heretical

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“Dissident.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dissident. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of dissident

adjective

noun

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