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.

Fashion advertisements, ranging from Revlon in the 1940s to Hanes in the 1960s, celebrated Eve’s rebellious action.

From Salon • May 17, 2026

Then, for his first haute couture collection, the 41-year-old Northern Irish designer presented a line with punk touches and floral accents, true to his rebellious spirit.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

Now many are pushing a more brash, rebellious, bro vibe, and their admirers and customers are buying in.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

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

Mother always said, “Sam isn’t really rebellious, just too quick with his tongue. If he’d only learn to stop and think before he spoke.”

From "My Brother Sam is Dead" by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier

Vocabulary lists containing rebellious

List 7

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Fighting Words: Belli and Milit

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Tears of a Tiger

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