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Definitions

rebellious

[ri-bel-yuhs] / rɪˈbɛl yəs /
ADJECTIVE
disobedient, unmanageable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alienated disaffected fractious recalcitrant restless turbulent unruly warring
WEAK
anarchistic attacking bellicose contumacious defiant difficult disloyal disobedient disorderly dissident factious iconoclastic incorrigible individualistic insurgent insurrectionary intractable mutinous obstinate pugnacious quarrelsome radical rebel refractory resistant revolutionary rioting riotous sabotaging seditious threatening treasonable ungovernable
Antonyms
STRONGEST
happy obedient
WEAK
compliant governable manageable

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This is a rebellious, empathetic adventure story about a grandmother who catches on that her society needs to learn how to think freely.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

In 1985 he joined the popular BBC Children's series Grange Hill, playing rebellious first-year Robbie Wright and was in the show until 1989.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

“It felt riskier, kind of rebellious to do that, but it ended up looking great and feeling really good too for her,” said Tolles about leaning into the room’s darkness.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2026

His character, rebellious first-year Robbie Wright, was in the show until 1989.

From BBC • Jan. 15, 2026

I can tell she feels pity for me and blames herself for not having been a better mother and stopped me from being so rebellious.

From "Across So Many Seas" by Ruth Behar