dissenter

noun

dis·​sent·​er di-ˈsen-tər 

1

: one that dissents

2

Dissenter : an English Nonconformist

Synonyms of dissenter

• dissident
• renegade

Examples of dissenter in a Sentence

a society that prized conformity very highly and treated dissenters of any kind very harshly

Recent Examples on the Web

Several top critics in Britain and Australia were notably warm towards the film, though both countries, certainly, had dissenters as well. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026

Those surveyed also correctly predicted the dissenters to the decision. — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2026

Three of the 12 members on the Fed's policymaking board, however, voted in favor of a rate hike, marking the largest number of dissenters casting ballots in the same direction in a decade. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026

At agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI, polygraphs reportedly have been used frequently – and more punitively – to identify internal dissenters. — Brian O'Neill, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1639, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dissenter

• frequenter
• indenter
• inventor
• precentor
• preventer
• tormentor
• center
• centre
• enter
• renter
• stentor
• epicenter

Kids Definition

dissenter

noun

dis·​sent·​er dis-ˈent-ər 

1

: one that dissents

2

capitalized : an English Protestant who is not in agreement with the rules or beliefs of the Church of England