Renegades

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A group of individuals who reject conventional norms or authority, often engaging in rebellious or nonconformist behavior; those who abandon allegiance to a particular cause or group, typically for self-serving reasons; people who defy established rules, often embodying a sense of adventurousness or individualism in their actions
2. Individuals who separate themselves from a community, choosing instead to pursue their own values or beliefs, often at odds with societal expectations; those who revolt against governance, corporate systems, or traditional practices, usually seeking personal freedom; characters that exemplify a disregard for conventional ethics in favor of personal gain or thrill
3. Members of a faction that chooses to oppose or disobey a prevailing system or ideology, often embracing a lifestyle of rebellion and independence; individuals who shift allegiances from established entities to pursue alternative paths, sometimes engaging in illicit or morally questionable activities; figures representing nonconformity, typically characterized by boldness and a quest for autonomy

Etymology: The plural "renegades" simply follows the noun "renegade," which came into English from Spanish "renegado." That Spanish word was itself taken from Medieval Latin "renegātus," the past participle of "renegō," meaning "to deny." The original sense was a person who denies or abandons his faith, and the word was used especially of Christians who converted to Islam. The word shares a root with "renege," which means to go back on a promise or a deal. Both trace back to the same Latin verb of denial, so a renegade is, at heart, someone who has gone back on an allegiance. The modern sense of a rebel or independent spirit grew out of that idea of breaking faith with an established group.

Synonyms: outlaws, rebels, traitors, defectors, dissidents

Antonyms: loyalists, followers, supporters, adherents, conformists