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

Vivienne Westwood, who died in 2022, helped define the punk fashion movement and became internationally known for rebellious designs that challenged conventional ideas of fashion and style. — Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026

Emma and Lizzie belong to a wealthy New England family and were once close, but as Lizzie and her rebellious housemaid Bridget Sullivan (Vicky Krieps) become deeply entangled, their relationship strains. — Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026

The tech world has always had a self-consciously rebellious relationship with societal norms. — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2026

Costarring Katey Sagal, Amy Davidson, James Garner, and David Spade, the series followed the futile attempts of Ritter’s Paul Hennessy and Sagal’s Cate Hennessy to tame their rebellious teenage daughter, Bridget (Cuoco). — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 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