Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Disagreeing, especially with a majority: Describes a person or opinion that openly disagrees with or opposes an official policy, established belief, or majority view.
   • Characterized by departure from accepted beliefs or standards: Describes actions, writings, or ideas that challenge orthodox or officially sanctioned doctrines.

2. Noun:

   • A person who dissents from some established policy: An individual who publicly expresses disagreement with and opposition to the government, a political party, or a prevailing ideology.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The journalist wrote a dissident article criticizing the new law.
  • He was known for his dissident views within the political party.

• Noun:

  • The political dissident was arrested for speaking against the regime.
  • Several dissidents were exiled for their opposition to the state's policies.

Advanced Usage

• "Dissident movement": A collective group or organized effort of people who oppose a government or system.

  • The dissident movement gained momentum after the controversial election.

• "Dissident voice": An individual or opinion that expresses opposition or disagreement.

  • Her blog served as a rare dissident voice in a tightly controlled media environment.

Variants and Related Words

• Dissidence (n): The act or state of disagreeing or dissenting.

  • The government tried to suppress all signs of dissidence.

• Dissenting (adj): Holding or expressing opinions that are at variance with those commonly or officially held. (This is a close synonym but is often used in broader, less politically charged contexts, such as in courts or general discussions.)

Synonyms

• Adjective: Dissenting, nonconformist, heterodox, rebellious.
• Noun: Protester, objector, rebel, nonconformist, maverick.

Related Phrases

• Political dissident: Specifically refers to a person who opposes the political system or government in power.

  • The political dissident spent years in prison.

• Religious dissident: Refers to a person who opposes or separates from the doctrines of an established church.

  • The religious dissident formed a new congregation based on different beliefs.

Adjective

1. disagreeing, especially with a majority
2. characterized by departure from accepted beliefs or standards

Noun

1. a person who dissents from some established policy