dissident

/ˈdɪsɪdənt/

Group 18Difficulty 1/3

Definition

(noun)
A person who opposes official policy, especially that of an authoritarian state
GRE

Example in Context

The dissident's memoir, smuggled out of prison on scraps of paper, became an international bestseller and a symbol of resistance.

Synonyms

rebelprotesterdissenter

Etymology

Sitting apart from the majority in disagreement.

  • dis- (Latin) — apart
  • sedere (Latin) — to sit

Memory Aid

🪑Sounds like “this sit and

When I say 'THIS SIT AND' not agree, I'm a DISSIDENT at the table of dissent!

Visual Association

A lone figure standing defiantly at a protest, surrounded by a crowd that disagrees.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Confusable Pairs

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “dissident” mean on the GRE?

dissident (noun) means “A person who opposes official policy, especially that of an authoritarian state”. The dissident's memoir, smuggled out of prison on scraps of paper, became an international bestseller and a symbol of resistance.

How to remember “dissident” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “dissident” sounds like “this sit and”. When I say 'THIS SIT AND' not agree, I'm a DISSIDENT at the table of dissent!

What are synonyms for “dissident”?

Common synonyms: rebel, protester, dissenter.