rebellious

adjective

re·​bel·​lious ri-ˈbel-yəs 

1

a

: given to or engaged in rebellion

rebellious troops

b

: of, relating to, or characteristic of a rebel or rebellion

a rebellious speech

2

: resisting treatment or management : refractory

rebelliously adverb

rebelliousness noun

Synonyms of rebellious

• insurgent
• traitorous
• revolutionary

Examples of rebellious in a Sentence

the rebellious troops fought a pitched battle with divisions still loyal to the government

expected her son to grow a little more rebellious as he got older, but she knew he understood when to kick and when to obey

Recent Examples on the Web

Kissing Is The Easy Part, meanwhile, follows a romance that blossom after a perfect student is bribed to tutor a rebellious wild child. —Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2026

At the Royal Academy, a similar wry wit echoes across Rose Wylie’s vast canvases (until April 19); read more about the rebellious painter and the show of her lifetime here. —Mahoro Seward, Vogue, 3 Mar. 2026

The idea of not paying federal taxes has a certain rebellious appeal, and there's no shortage of people online claiming to have cracked some legal loophole that exempts them from the whole system. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026

My 16-year-old daughter is going through a rebellious phase. —Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing rebellious

• rebellious streak

Kids Definition

rebellious

adjective

re·​bel·​lious ri-ˈbel-yəs 

1

: taking part in rebellion

2

: tending to fight against or disobey authority

rebelliously adverb

rebelliousness noun