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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rebellious
The show was set in an old church, which felt apt for the rebellious theme.
—
Marley Gotterer, Them., 18 Sep. 2025
But in the reboot, Connie is off to college and exploring her more rebellious side.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 16 Sep. 2025
The third book in the Luna Sisters series follows the journey to love for the youngest and most rebellious Luna sister, Gabriela.
—Mia Sosa, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, Gemma’s niece Cady (McGraw) is now 14, a rebellious teenager living under Gemma’s overprotective rules.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rebellious
Marley Gotterer, Them., 18 Sep. 2025
But in the reboot, Connie is off to college and exploring her more rebellious side.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 16 Sep. 2025
The third book in the Luna Sisters series follows the journey to love for the youngest and most rebellious Luna sister, Gabriela.
—Mia Sosa, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, Gemma’s niece Cady (McGraw) is now 14, a rebellious teenager living under Gemma’s overprotective rules.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rebellious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebellious
Adjective
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Mamdani’s victory in the financial capital of the world was seen as a galvanizing moment for the progressive wing of the party and a sign of an insurgent mood among its base.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
10 Aug. 2025
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And their coalition is divided between a centrist establishment and an insurgent progressive wing with diverging priorities in addressing inequality.—
Nathan Meyers,
The Conversation,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Nine months after the longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad was toppled by a rebel offensive, Syria faces a litany of new challenges.—
Caroline Rose,
Foreign Affairs,
18 Sep. 2025
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Iran and later Russia dispatched troops to save him, while Turkey and Gulf states backed rebel militias.—
Robin Yassin-Kassab,
Time,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Clarisse looks intimidating climbing out of a boat, as does Bushnell’s traitorous Luke, who wields a sharp-looking knife.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
24 July 2025
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There's a delicious whodunit aspect to it, too, as the list of five potentially traitorous suspects includes the operative's own high-profile wife (Cate Blanchett).—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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Though the song order is Easter egg intentional – as with everything Swift – it’s bookended by a declaration of romantic salvation and a narrative from the perspective of a weary, yet defiant showgirl.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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Polis has sought to avoid public fights with the federal government over immigration, unlike his more publicly defiant counterparts in Illinois and California.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In late 2010, Facebook became revered as the gold standard of revolutionary organizing, sweeping across the Middle East and North Africa following the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi in Tunisia.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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Collective farms, the bane of Soviet agriculture that had once inspired Fidel’s revolutionary visions, were no longer the norm.—
Joseph J. Gonzalez,
The Conversation,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Originally bred in Germany to hunt badgers, these small canines are energetic, bold and stubborn.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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Both options meant navigating some stubborn supporters.—
Kevin Coulson,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rebellious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebellious. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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