Synonyms of rebellious

rebellious

adjective

ri-ˈbel-yəs 

1

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

• insurgent
• traitorous
• revolutionary
• mutinous
• insurrectionary
• treacherous
• seditious
• treasonous
• defiant
• disobedient
• insubordinate
• demagogic
• agitating
• recalcitrant
• unruly
• restive
• rabble-rousing
• refractory
• intractable
• ungovernable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• loyal
• constant
• true
• steadfast
• staunch
• devoted
• obedient
• submissive
• true-blue
• compliant
• tractable

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rebel
• defiant
• stubborn
• willful
• disobedient
• unruly
• wayward
• mischievous
• insubordinate
• contrary
• naughty
• recalcitrant
• contumacious
• restive
• obstreperous
• rigid
• dogged
• dissident
• adamant
• refractory
• ungovernable
• intractable
• wild
• balky
• froward
• insurgent
• unrelenting
• untoward
• uncontrollable
• recusant
• resistant
• mutinous
• bad
• rude
• incompliant
• uncooperative
• obstinate
• headstrong
• opinionated
• uncompromising
• peevish
• negativistic
• noncooperative
• implacable
• hardheaded
• unbending
• obdurate
• mulish
• fractious
• unmanageable
• unyielding
• undisciplined
• nonconformist
• inflexible
• pertinacious
• self-willed
• impudent
• insolent
• disorderly
• immovable
• perverse
• monkeying
• disrespectful
• wrongheaded
• pigheaded
• errant
• ornery
• adamantine
• uncouth
• inconsiderate
• ungracious
• discourteous
• impertinent
• uncivil
• misbehaving
• unmannerly
• impolite
• ill-mannered
• monkeyish
• ill-natured
• ill-bred

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• obedient
• docile
• submissive
• cooperative
• amiable
• compliant
• amenable
• tractable
• conformable
• agreeable
• acquiescent
• deferential
• behaved
• disciplined
• respectful
• biddable
• well-bred
• yielding
• polite
• courteous
• obliging
• servile
• ruly
• subservient
• slavish
• obsequious
• orderly
• proper
• decorous
• controllable
• manageable
• mannerly
• trainable
• kowtowing
• governable

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rebellious

Suzanne’s kind of rebellious temperament brought a lucidity to that character. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2026

According to Deadline, Esther McGregor (Babygirl, being Ewan McGregor’s daughter) will play reluctant dragonrider Violet Sorrengail while Emilio Sakraya (Warrior Nun) will play the mysterious and rebellious Xaden Riorson. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026

Aside from the rebellious English rockers, Friday’s other highlights included one of punk’s most captivating frontpersons with Dani Miller showing why Surfbort is always a must-watch band. — Josh Chesler, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026

The face of it is teenagers who are rebellious, bored by school (often for good reason), and beyond parent control. — Kalman Hettleman, Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2026