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
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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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In the fight over the future of the Democratic Party, Mr. Pritzker has emerged as a leader of an insurgent faction calling for a full-throated, unflinching barrage of attacks on Mr. Trump, his Republican allies and their right-wing agenda.—
Lisa Lerer,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
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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
Adjective
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President Trump met with former rebel leader turned new president of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 May 2025
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Incidents of violence by rebel groups fell from 1,936 in 2010 to 374 in 2024, according to data from the home ministry.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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Michael Fassbender plays a British intelligence officer tasked with finding who leaked a top-secret software program and betrayed their country, and the list of five potentially traitorous suspects includes his own high-profile wife (Cate Blanchett).—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
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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
Adjective
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The defiant message comes after weeks of intense news coverage and a Republican House committee investigation into Hope Florida and its nonprofit charity arm, the Hope Florida Foundation.—
Lawrence Mower,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2025
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Post match, the 17-year-old was in a typically defiant mood.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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Set against the backdrop of Imperial Russia’s criminal underworld and revolutionary ferment, the film explores the making of the bloody dictator who would reshape the 20th century through terror, war and ideology — and the largest bank heist in Russian history, according to the logline.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
15 May 2025
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Ibsen’s revolutionary script ends with the wife, Nora, walking out on her husband, Torvald, and their daughter in order to discover her full potential as a human being.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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Get The Recipe Smart Move Similar recipes with beans and peas existed before then, but a challenge made to a stubborn chef named Helen Corbitt spurred the creation of Texas caviar.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
17 May 2025
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When tragedy strikes on Michigan roads—when a car skids off an icy bend or a semi-truck barrels through a red light—victims are often left to face not only devastating injuries but also a daunting legal maze of corporate denials and stubborn insurers.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rebellious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebellious. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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