REBELLIOUS Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

rebellious

adjective

ri-ˈbel-yəs

Definition of rebellious next

as in insurgent

taking part in a rebellion the rebellious troops fought a pitched battle with divisions still loyal to the government

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rebel

given to resisting authority or another's control 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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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

Katherine Turman, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026 Wild Horse Nine also stars Parker Posey, Tom Waits and Mariana di Girolamo and Ailín Salas as rebellious students. —

Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 19 Mar. 2026 The series followed Huey; his rebellious and street-savvy 8-year-old brother, Riley (both voiced by Regina King); and their granddad, Robert (John Witherspoon), navigating life as a Black family in a predominantly white suburb. —

Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026 Whatever happens might instill a rebellious, independent reaction within you. —

Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rebellious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebellious

Adjective

And for two of those elections, in 1984 and 1988, the party endured a primary that pitted more establishment centrist candidates (Walter Mondale and Michael Dukakis) against an insurgent firebrand Black populist, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson.

— Abby Phillip, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
Although some analysts have suggested Starmer may quietly be pleased with the resignation of his main rival and potential successor, the toppling of Rayner caps off what has been a dreadful summer for Labour, in which the party has lost more ground in the polls to the insurgent Reform UK.

— Max Foster, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025