freedom fighter
freedom fighter — noun
1. someone who fights, often with weapons, to remove an oppressive government from
someone who fights, often with weapons, to remove an oppressive government from power or to win political freedom for their people.
The old photographs showed Amara's grandfather as a young freedom fighter in the 1960s.
collocation: as a freedom fighter + time period
Jun believes that freedom fighters deserve recognition even decades after the conflict ends.
pattern: believes that + clause about freedom fighters
A mural on the city wall honoured the freedom fighters who died for independence.
The old man spoke quietly about his years as a freedom fighter against colonial forces.
Naledi's grandmother was remembered as a freedom fighter who smuggled messages across enemy lines.
- rebel
broader term that does not imply the cause is just
- guerrilla
focuses on irregular military tactics rather than political motivation
- revolutionary
emphasises bringing down the existing order; may or may not involve armed struggle
- oppressor
the person or regime that denies freedom
- collaborator
someone who works with the oppressive regime against the resistance
用法筆記
This word carries a strong positive judgment about the cause. The same person may be called a 'terrorist' or 'rebel' by the opposing side — 'freedom fighter' always implies the speaker supports the struggle.