dissident
adjective
dis·si·dent ˈdi-sə-dənt 
: disagreeing especially with an established religious or political system, organization, or belief
dissident elements in the armed forces
dissident noun
Synonyms
- dissentient
- dissenting
- heretical
- heretic
- heterodox
- iconoclastic
- maverick
- nonconformist
- nonorthodox
- out-there
- unconventional
- unorthodox
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
dissident elements within the Catholic Church
Recent Examples on the Web The 2018 killing of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi also looms large for Western visitors. 
Stephen Kalin, WSJ, 4 Sep. 2022 Last year, a report was declassified that put blame on the crown prince for the death of Washington Post journalist and dissident Jamal Khashoggi. Kelly Laco, Fox News, 18 July 2022 That promise was prompted by the killing of the dissident Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post journalist, in 2018, in an complex plot that the C.I.A. says was directly approved by Prince Mohammed. New York Times, 13 July 2022 In recent days, pamphlets have circulated on social media claiming to be from dissident groups threatening local organizations and companies — including Gonzalez’s hospital. Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2022 Biden's trip to Saudi Arabia — part of a four-day visit to the Middle East — drew criticism given that US intelligence has deemed the Crown Prince responsible for ordering the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Andrew Torgan, CNN, 24 July 2022 Khan’s verbal assaults on his opponents have galvanized supporters, leading some to attack a building in Islamabad where dissident party members were staying earlier this month. NBC News, 26 Mar. 2022 In addition to choosing the two dissident board members, shareholders elected eight current members of Exxon’s board. Cathy Bussewitz, Chron, 26 May 2021 Officials are blaming the violence on drug traffickers and guerrillas including dissident members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia — the FARC — and the National Liberation Army, or ELN. Washington Post, 7 May 2021 See More
Stephen Kalin, WSJ, 4 Sep. 2022 Last year, a report was declassified that put blame on the crown prince for the death of Washington Post journalist and dissident Jamal Khashoggi. Kelly Laco, Fox News, 18 July 2022 That promise was prompted by the killing of the dissident Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post journalist, in 2018, in an complex plot that the C.I.A. says was directly approved by Prince Mohammed. New York Times, 13 July 2022 In recent days, pamphlets have circulated on social media claiming to be from dissident groups threatening local organizations and companies — including Gonzalez’s hospital. Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2022 Biden's trip to Saudi Arabia — part of a four-day visit to the Middle East — drew criticism given that US intelligence has deemed the Crown Prince responsible for ordering the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Andrew Torgan, CNN, 24 July 2022 Khan’s verbal assaults on his opponents have galvanized supporters, leading some to attack a building in Islamabad where dissident party members were staying earlier this month. NBC News, 26 Mar. 2022 In addition to choosing the two dissident board members, shareholders elected eight current members of Exxon’s board. Cathy Bussewitz, Chron, 26 May 2021 Officials are blaming the violence on drug traffickers and guerrillas including dissident members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia — the FARC — and the National Liberation Army, or ELN. Washington Post, 7 May 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin dissident-, dissidens, present participle of dissidēre to sit apart, disagree, from dis- + sedēre to sit — more at sit
First Known Use
1769, in the meaning defined above
dissidents
noun
as in dissenters
a person who believes, teaches, or advocates something opposed to accepted beliefs the conference drew political dissidents of every ilk Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- dissenters
- renegades
- defectors
- dissentients
- heretics
- separatists
- nonconformists
- heresiarchs
- infidels
- sectarians
- bohemians
- schismatics
- unbelievers
- individualists
- separationists
- apostates
- disbelievers
- misbelievers
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- believers
- conformists
- conformers