dissident
Loading your saved state.
dissident
A person who publicly holds and criticizes a view different from that of the government or a ruling ideology, especially in an authoritarian state.
Der Dissident wurde wegen seiner regimekritischen Schriften des Landes verwiesen.
The dissident was expelled from the country because of his writings critical of the regime.
The word 'Dissident' (dissident) belongs to the word family of 'Dissidenz' (dissidence). 'Dissidenz' describes the attitude or movement of opposition to a prevailing opinion or political system.
Die Ausstellung dokumentiert die Geschichte der politischen Dissidenz in Osteuropa.
The exhibition documents the history of political dissidence in Eastern Europe.
'Dissident' (dissident) is often combined with adjectives such as 'politisch' (political) or 'bekannt' (well-known). Typical verbs in this context are 'verfolgen' (to persecute), 'verhaften' (to arrest), or 'ins Exil zwingen' (to force into exile).
Viele politische Dissidenten mussten ihr Heimatland verlassen.
Many political dissidents had to leave their home country.
This word is mainly used in formal, political, and historical contexts. It does not describe an everyday difference of opinion, but rather fundamental opposition to a usually authoritarian regime.
In der Geschichtsstunde sprachen wir über die Rolle der Dissidenten in der DDR.
In history class, we talked about the role of dissidents in East Germany.
rebel
'der Rebell' and 'der Dissident' both have to do with opposition to power or dominant views. A rebel actively stands against a government, order, or authority; this can also be violent. A dissident mainly publicly criticizes the government or a ruling ideology, especially in an authoritarian state. 'Dissident' sounds more like political opinion and criticism, not necessarily armed struggle. The words can be confused because both stand against a system. As a simple guide: the dissident disagrees and criticizes; the rebel rises up more actively against an order.
Der Dissident schrieb mutige Texte gegen die Politik des Regimes.
The dissident wrote courageous texts against the regime's policies.
Die Regierung nannte ihn einen Rebellen, weil er zum Aufstand aufrief.
The government called him a rebel because he called for an uprising.