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.

Over the next decade, rebellious colonists used ads to spread the word about boycotts on British products.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 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

“Then suddenly, this burst on the scene in January,” more rebellious than ever.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 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

It sounded like a lie to me, but I saw my brother yield his stiff and rebellious stance and hang his head in submission.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

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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