DISSENTER Synonyms: 21 Similar and Opposite Words

dissenter

noun

di-ˈsen-tər

Definition of dissenter

as in dissident

a person who believes, teaches, or advocates something opposed to accepted beliefs a society that prized conformity very highly and treated dissenters of any kind very harshly

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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 dissenter At agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI, polygraphs reportedly have been used frequently – and more punitively – to identify internal dissenters. — Brian O'Neill, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026 The one dissenter this round is Vic, who emphatically votes for the visible boom mic. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026 Apart from a few dissenters, most of our participants thought that China could, in fact, rely on its economic and technological engine to ride out these storms. — Ben Bland, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for dissenter

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dissenter

Noun

The military junta has previously been accused of targeting dissidents by detaining human rights defenders and journalists.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
Vietnam shows what such content controls can mean for dissidents, including those in exile.

— Jordi Calvet-Bademunt, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of dissident

Noun

Niger’s ruling junta survived its most serious internal challenge since the 2023 coup after renegade soldiers mutinied in Niamey and Russian Africa Corps fighters helped presidential guards retake a key airbase.

— Chinedu Asadu, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
In some ways, there is a strange kind of unity to these three—all are set during the Depression, all feature stylish renegades.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of renegade

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dissented (to)

dissenter

dissenters

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“Dissenter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dissenter. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of dissenter

noun

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