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
Is Backdrop Schumacher’s rebellious little sister?
—
Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025
The film follows 12-year-old Janna who sets-off for Mecca with her strict grandmother Sitti and rebellious sister Sarah to perform Hajj.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
Since its inception in 1998, the Festival Iberoamericano de Cultura Musical, better known as Vive Latino, has had a rebellious personality that has challenged stigmas.
—Natalia Cano, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
There's just something so irresistible about the lace-up flat with its air of rebellious discipline.
—Alex Sales, Glamour, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rebellious
Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025
The film follows 12-year-old Janna who sets-off for Mecca with her strict grandmother Sitti and rebellious sister Sarah to perform Hajj.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
Since its inception in 1998, the Festival Iberoamericano de Cultura Musical, better known as Vive Latino, has had a rebellious personality that has challenged stigmas.
—Natalia Cano, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
There's just something so irresistible about the lace-up flat with its air of rebellious discipline.
—Alex Sales, Glamour, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rebellious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebellious
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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The 64-year-old actor famously portrays rebel leader Morpheus, captain of the Nebuchadnezzar, in the hit sci-fi action film franchise.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
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The palace officials assured them the president was there, hashing out a plan with his military and Russian and Iranian advisers to confront the advancing rebel forces.—
Danny Makki,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 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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On Monday afternoon, Petro remained defiant.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
21 Oct. 2025
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This Irish American neighborhood is famous for its quirky upside-down traffic light, where green proudly sits above red—a symbol of its defiant community spirit.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Rag & Bone’s revolutionary printing technique, Miramar, creates an optical illusion that makes any material look like denim.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Oct. 2025
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This engineering masterpiece required revolutionary construction techniques, including using hydraulic systems to launch the deck across the valley.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Uninhibited by the European commitments of their rivals following last season’s dreary eighth-place finish, Massimiliano Allegri has wasted no time moulding the Rossoneri into a stubborn outfit that sit within two points of the summit after a 0-0 draw at Juventus before the international break.—
Jack Bantock,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
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That damaging psychic weight of insecurity and self-blame seeps into our society and politics, where polls show a stubborn and longtime trend of declining faith in a better future.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rebellious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebellious. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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