Renegade vs. Rebel — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 23, 2024
Renegade refers to someone who betrays an ideology or group, focusing on disloyalty, whereas a rebel actively resists authority or control, emphasizing opposition.
Difference Between Renegade and Rebel
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A renegade often implies a defection from a group, typically betraying previously held beliefs, whereas a rebel primarily opposes or fights against established authority.
Renegades are frequently seen as traitors who switch sides or loyalties, often motivated by personal benefit or disillusionment with a cause, whereas rebels might act out of a sense of injustice or desire for political change.
The term renegade can carry a negative connotation, suggesting treachery or untrustworthiness, whereas the term rebel might be viewed more positively, especially in contexts where rebellion is against oppressive systems.
While renegades often act alone or switch to an opposing side, rebels usually are part of a larger group or movement fighting against a common enemy or oppressive regime.
In historical and cultural narratives, renegades are portrayed as individuals who break away from their own group, often creating dramatic shifts in loyalties, while rebels are celebrated or vilified depending on the perspective of the narrative, often seen as heroes or revolutionaries.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Someone who betrays a group or cause
Someone who resists authority or control
Connotation
Often negative, implies betrayal
Can be positive, implies resistance
Typical Motivation
Personal benefit, disillusionment
Sense of injustice, desire for change
Action
Defection, switching sides
Resistance, fighting against
Perception in Narratives
Traitor, untrustworthy
Hero, revolutionary
Compare with Definitions
Renegade
A traitor or defector.
She was labeled a renegade when she leaked confidential documents.
Rebel
A person who rises in opposition against an established government or leader.
The rebels took control of the capital city.
Renegade
A person who behaves in a rebelliously unconventional manner.
He was a renegade in the art world, rejecting traditional styles and forms.
Rebel
An individual who fights against the odds or makes a stand against issues.
She was a rebel in the workplace, advocating for equal rights and pay.
Renegade
One who abandons and betrays an allegiance or duty.
As a political renegade, he often switched parties to suit his agenda.
Rebel
A member of an armed group formed to fight against a government or invading force.
The rebels formed a guerrilla warfare unit in the mountains.
Renegade
An individual who rejects lawful or conventional behavior.
The young scientist became a renegade, dismissing the established theories of his peers.
Rebel
Someone who resists authority, control, or tradition.
As a teenager, he was a rebel, often clashing with school authorities.
Renegade
Someone who deserts and betrays an organization, country, or set of principles.
The soldier was considered a renegade after he defected to the enemy side.
Rebel
A nonconformist, often seen in cultural or artistic movements.
His rebel approach to music challenged the industry's norms.
Renegade
One who rejects a religion, cause, allegiance, or group for another; a deserter.
Rebel
A person who rises in opposition or armed resistance against an established government or leader
Tory rebels
Rebel forces
Renegade
An outlaw; a rebel.
Rebel
Rise in opposition or armed resistance to an established government or leader
The Earl of Pembroke subsequently rebelled against Henry III
Renegade
Of, relating to, or resembling a renegade; traitorous.
Rebel
To refuse allegiance to and oppose by force an established government or ruling authority.
Renegade
To become a deserter or an outlaw.
Rebel
To resist or defy an authority or a generally accepted convention.
Renegade
An outlaw or rebel.
Rebel
To feel or express strong unwillingness or repugnance
She rebelled at the unwelcome suggestion.
Renegade
A disloyal person who betrays or deserts a cause, religion, political party, friend, etc.
Rebel
One who rebels or is in rebellion.
Renegade
(dated) To desert one's cause, or change one's loyalties; to commit betrayal.
Rebel
Rebel A Confederate soldier.
Renegade
One faithless to principle or party.
James justly regarded these renegades as the most serviceable tools that he could employ.
Rebel
A person who resists or defies authority or convention
"In her own mind, Jan is ... a rebel, an iconoclast, a strange and estranged and angry freedom fighter" (Perri Klass).
Renegade
One who deserts from a military or naval post; a deserter.
Rebel
A person who resists an established authority, often violently.
A group of rebels defied the general's orders and split off from the main army.
My little sister is such a rebel - coming home late, piercing her ears, and refusing to do any of her chores.
Renegade
Someone who rebels and becomes an outlaw
Rebel
Synonym of Confederate: a citizen of the Confederate States of America, especially a Confederate soldier.
Renegade
A disloyal person who betrays or deserts his cause or religion or political party or friend etc.
Rebel
(intransitive) To resist or become defiant toward an authority.
To rebel against the system
Renegade
Break with established customs
Rebel
Pertaining to rebels or rebellion; acting in revolt; rebellious; as, rebel troops.
Whoso be rebel to my judgment.
Convict by flight, and rebel to all law.
Renegade
Having deserted a cause or principle;
Some provinces had proved recreant
Renegade supporters of the usurper
Rebel
One who rebels.
Rebel
To renounce, and resist by force, the authority of the ruler or government to which one owes obedience. See Rebellion.
The murmur and the churls' rebelling.
Ye have builded you an altar, that ye might rebel this day against the Lord.
Rebel
To be disobedient to authority; to assume a hostile or insubordinate attitude; to revolt.
How could my hand rebel against my heart?How could your heart rebel against your reason?
Rebel
`johnny' was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; `grayback' derived from their gray Confederate uniforms
Rebel
A person who takes part in an armed rebellion against the constituted authority (especially in the hope of improving conditions)
Rebel
Someone who exhibits great independence in thought and action
Rebel
Take part in a rebellion; renounce a former allegiance
Rebel
Break with established customs
Rebel
Used by northerners of Confederate soldiers;
The rebel yell
Rebel
Participating in organized resistance to a constituted government;
The rebelling confederacy
Common Curiosities
Can a renegade be a positive figure?
While typically seen negatively, renegades can be viewed positively if their betrayal is seen as justified or noble.
What is a renegade?
A renegade is someone who deserts and betrays an organization, country, or set of principles.
What does it mean to be a rebel?
Being a rebel means rising in opposition or resistance against authority or control.
How are rebels portrayed in popular culture?
Rebels are often portrayed as heroes or revolutionaries, especially if their cause aligns with perceived justice.
Do renegades always switch sides?
Renegades typically switch sides or loyalties, but the term can also refer to general treacherous behavior without a literal side switch.
Are rebels always part of a group?
Rebels often act as part of a group, though individual rebels can also act alone in their resistance.
How do societies view renegades?
Societies often view renegades with suspicion or disdain due to their acts of betrayal.
What motivates a renegade to betray their group?
Motivations can include personal gain, disillusionment with the group's principles, or a shift in personal beliefs.
Is there a romantic aspect to being a rebel?
The idea of being a rebel can be romanticized, especially in cultural narratives where they fight against oppression.
What historical examples exist of a rebel?
Historical examples include figures like Che Guevara or the American patriots during the Revolutionary War.
Do renegades often regret their decisions?
Depending on the outcome and their motivations, renegades may or may not regret their actions.
What legal consequences can rebels face?
Rebels can face legal actions including arrest, charges of treason, or worse, depending on the laws of the land.
Why might someone choose to rebel?
Individuals might rebel due to perceived injustices, oppressive conditions, or a strong belief in needing to change a system.
Can one be both a renegade and a rebel?
It's possible for someone to be both if they betray one group to fight against authority with another.
How are renegades and rebels different in terms of leadership?
Renegades often act alone or switch allegiances, while rebels may lead or be part of resistive movements.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
