# dissident

/ˈdɪsədənt/ (US) · /dˈɪsɪdənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dissident
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 2. religious dissenter

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal

a person who separates from or disagrees with the main, established church of their country.

For teachers: one who disagrees with or separates from an established religious body or orthodoxy.

- In the past, many dissidents left the country to practice their religion freely.
- The seventeenth-century dissidents faced heavy fines and social exclusion for refusing to attend the services of the state church.

### 3. disagreeing

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

describing a person or group that disagrees with the official rules or government.

For teachers: characterised by disagreement or opposition to an established political or social authority.

- The dissident group refused to follow the new laws passed by the council.
- The publication of dissident views was strictly prohibited under the new censorship laws introduced by the military junta.

### 4. paramilitary member

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Dialect

a member of a group that continues to use violence even after a peace agreement has been signed.

For teachers: a member of a paramilitary group that rejects a ceasefire or peace settlement, specifically in the context of Northern Ireland.

- Police are investigating a recent attack believed to be carried out by dissidents.
- Security forces remained on high alert following threats from dissident factions who refused to recognise the legitimacy of the peace treaty.

Usage: Commonly used in Irish and British news media to refer to groups opposing the Good Friday Agreement.

## Examples

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.