dissident
n. countablen. someone who publicly disagrees with their government or a powerful organization. These people often face danger or punishment for speaking out.
n. a person who actively challenges an established political or religious system, doctrine, or institution. Often implies opposition to an authoritarian regime.
The dissident was arrested for writing articles against the government.
After years of living in exile, the famous dissident returned home to lead the new political party.
The regime attempted to silence the dissident through a combination of house arrest and restricted access to international media, yet her message continued to circulate via underground networks.
From Latin dissidēns, present participle of dissideō (“to sit apart; to disagree”), from dis- (“asunder, apart, in two”) + sedeō (“to sit”).
Often used in political contexts to describe individuals in non-democratic states.