dissidents

Noun

dissident (plural dissidents)

1. A person who formally opposes the current political structure, the political group in power, the policies of the political group in power, or current laws.
   • I once more find myself a dissident, and a dissident in a very small minority.1895 June 15, “Claude Monet”, in The Speaker, volume 11, London: Mather & Crowther, →OCLC, page 658

   Synonyms:

   dissenter

2. (Northern Ireland) A member of a paramilitary that has continued actions after the Good Friday Agreement or other ceasefire.
3. One who disagrees or dissents; one who separates from the established religion.

   Synonyms:

   dissenter

   1. (historical, specifically) Sometimes Dissident: in the kingdom of Poland, the name for Christians not part of the Roman Catholic Church.
      • From Warſaw, May 25. That the Dyet of Convocation had held its laſt Seſſion on the 22d, and then agreed to and ſign'd a general Confederacy in good Order, having firſt Sworn not to Elect a Foreigner as above. The Day of Election was fixt for the 25th of Aug. But a Proteſt was enter'd by the...1733 May, “Foreign Advices in May, 1733”, in “Sylvanus Urban” [pseudonym; Edward Cave], editor, The Gentleman's Magazine: or Monthly Intelligencer, volume III, number 24, London: Printed, and sold at...

See all 6 meanings of dissident