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.

The opening 15 minutes of Arirang have the rebellious, rap-heavy energy of the band's 2014 album, Dark & Wild.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

Thoughtful and easygoing offstage, Peaches’ seemingly rebellious onstage shenanigans are hardly a reaction to her upbringing.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

In an interview with the BBC's Mark Savage in 2024, she described Chappell as a "larger-than-life, drag queen version of myself", who allows her to be rebellious and risqué.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026

For Sundance’s final gathering in Park City, it’s fitting that there should be a new movie from a filmmaker that embodies the rebellious, rule-breaking spirit of the festival as few have.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 21, 2026

How I could lose myself for hours watching the way the sunlight teased the contours of his high cheekbones and bronzed his rebellious curls.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros

Vocabulary lists containing rebellious

Fighting Words: Belli and Milit

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List 7

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Tears of a Tiger

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