1
as in insurgent
taking part in a rebellion
the rebellious troops fought a pitched battle with divisions still loyal to the government
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rebellious
Providence, Rhode Island July is great for: a rebellious revolution celebration.
—
Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 8 May 2025
The Full Moon in Scorpio on May 12th opposes rebellious Uranus in Taurus.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 8 May 2025
This background informs Idles’ rebellious reflex, whereas awful American rock bands Rage Against the Machine and Green Day are merely bratty.
—Armond White, National Review, 7 May 2025
But, beauty’s rigid rules don’t apply to the rebellious.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rebellious
Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 8 May 2025
The Full Moon in Scorpio on May 12th opposes rebellious Uranus in Taurus.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 8 May 2025
This background informs Idles’ rebellious reflex, whereas awful American rock bands Rage Against the Machine and Green Day are merely bratty.
—Armond White, National Review, 7 May 2025
But, beauty’s rigid rules don’t apply to the rebellious.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rebellious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebellious
Adjective
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The photograph depicts a foot soldier in an insurgent religious movement trying to storm the halls of American power.—
John Blake,
CNN,
12 Jan. 2025
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Burrows' win marks a defeat for the insurgent right wing of the GOP that eschewed working with Democrats.—
Shafaq Patel,
Axios,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The president's remarks note a stark difference in recent comments he's made toward the rebel group.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 May 2025
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This week, rebel assassin Cinta Kaz (Varada Sethu) was accidentally shot by a Ghorman revolutionary during a routine attack on an Imperial transport ship.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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Smith made out their former collaborators to be ungrateful and traitorous, and the kids weren't given the space to question her command.—
Zoey Lyttle,
People.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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Foreign military interventions can change victims from being viewed as a nuisance into being seen as powerful and traitorous enemies, potentially capable of exacting revenge, seizing power, or breaking away from the state.—
Benjamin A. Valentino,
Foreign Affairs,
17 Oct. 2011
Adjective
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But beneath Pakistan’s drumbeat of defiant declarations as tensions erupt with India, a weary Pakistani public sees war as the last thing the country needs.—
Salman Masood,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
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Rank-and-file members of the Brotherhood already strike a defiant tone, vowing to continue to organize, protest, and voice criticism of both the Jordanian authorities and the war in Gaza.—
Taylor Luck,
Christian Science Monitor,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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America has been going through revolutionary changes ever since its birth and the promise of equality for all, which wasn't fulfilled until years later, Buffett said.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 May 2025
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This irrational market behavior stems partly from the cult of personality surrounding Musk and partly from speculators betting on his promises of revolutionary artificial intelligence and robotics breakthroughs.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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Outside of Washington, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s followers appear to be scrambling the country's stubborn red-blue divide USA TODAY Texas is looking at bills to bring back exercise.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
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The following day, however, Mercury will meet Mars in a stubborn square, triggering a clash between the need for practicality and discernment versus the desire to express oneself boldly and with pride.—
Staff Author,
People.com,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rebellious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebellious. Accessed 17 May. 2025.
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