Renegade: meaning, definitions and examples

This word describes someone who rejects conventional behavior or beliefs, especially in a rebellious way. It can be used in both positive and negative contexts.

• He was considered a renegade for his unconventional views on education

This term carries a strong negative connotation and is used to describe a person who betrays a friend, country, principle, etc. It emphasizes disloyalty and treachery.

• He was branded a traitor after he sold state secrets to a foreign government

This word describes someone who resists or rises up against authority or control. It is often used to describe political or social opposition.

• The young rebels organized a protest against the new law

Use this term to describe a person who abandons their country, cause, or party to join an opposing one. The word usually emphasizes the act of switching sides.

• The soldier became a defector when he crossed the border and surrendered to the enemy

A renegade is someone who betrays a set of beliefs or a group they were once loyal to. This word often carries a negative connotation, implying treachery or disloyalty.

• He was branded as a renegade after he switched sides during the conflict
• The renegade officer leaked sensitive information to a rival agency

A maverick is an individual who thinks independently, often defying conventional norms and practices. This term generally has a positive connotation, denoting someone innovative and unorthodox.

• The company's success is attributed to its maverick CEO who implemented untraditional marketing strategies
• She has always been a maverick in the world of art, constantly breaking boundaries

A dissenter is someone who disagrees with the majority opinion or common beliefs, especially in a formal setting. This word is often used in political, social, or religious contexts.

• During the meeting, she was the only dissenter who opposed the new policy
• In history, many religious dissenters have faced persecution for their beliefs

A nonconformist is someone who refuses to conform to established customs, attitudes, or ideas. This word is often used to describe people who challenge societal norms.

• As a nonconformist, he always questioned societal expectations and chose his own path
• The nonconformist writer gained a cult following for her unconventional style

Used to describe someone who has abandoned a cause or group they were previously loyal to, often to join an opposing side.

• The soldier became a renegade and joined the enemy forces
• She was seen as a renegade for leaving the party and forming her own movement

Used to describe someone who betrays trust or allegiance, especially to their country or group, with a strong negative connotation.

• His traitorous behavior was revealed when he sold secrets to the enemy
• She was executed for her traitorous actions against the state

Describes someone who resists control or authority, often showing a desire to break free from restrictions.

• Teenagers often go through a rebellious phase, challenging their parents' rules
• The rebellious citizens protested against the new law

Used for someone who does not show loyalty or trustworthiness to a person, group, or cause. It has a negative connotation.

• He felt disloyal when he told his friend's secret
• The employee was considered disloyal for leaking company information