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
No surprise, then, that so much of their work is fearlessly modern, whether outspoken and rebellious or confessional and erotic.
—
Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
But Amy Madigan, who seemed like the rebellious, out-of-the-box pick for critics groups, made it into the hypercompetitive supporting actress category.
—Lindsey Bahr, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
The 8-episode first season charts the improbable ascent of Joe and Rose Kennedy and their nine children, including rebellious second son Jack, who struggles to escape the shadow of his golden boy older brother.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2026
In a prelude to parties across America the following year, the queen had invited the chairmen of state bicentennial commissions from the 13 rebellious Colonies to mark the good will that had grown between the former enemies in the intervening two centuries.
—Paul Edward Parker, The Providence Journal, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rebellious
Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
But Amy Madigan, who seemed like the rebellious, out-of-the-box pick for critics groups, made it into the hypercompetitive supporting actress category.
—Lindsey Bahr, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
The 8-episode first season charts the improbable ascent of Joe and Rose Kennedy and their nine children, including rebellious second son Jack, who struggles to escape the shadow of his golden boy older brother.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2026
In a prelude to parties across America the following year, the queen had invited the chairmen of state bicentennial commissions from the 13 rebellious Colonies to mark the good will that had grown between the former enemies in the intervening two centuries.
—Paul Edward Parker, The Providence Journal, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rebellious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebellious
Adjective
-
And for two of those elections, in 1984 and 1988, the party endured a primary that pitted more establishment centrist candidates (Walter Mondale and Michael Dukakis) against an insurgent firebrand Black populist, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson.—
Abby Phillip,
Time,
4 Dec. 2025
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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
Adjective
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In December 2002, the MPCI joined forces with two other rebel factions to form the New Forces of Ivory Coast (FNCI).—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
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Two men are targeted by the rebel army who overthrew the government of Colonel Jacobo Arbenz Guzman.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Russell fabricates a lie with the rest of the villains, and the heroes believe it, despite a warning from one traitorous tribemate.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Dec. 2025
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That video drew the ire of President Donald Trump, who deemed it traitorous.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
25 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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When summoned before a congressional committee in December, Noem struck a defiant tone.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
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Between the river’s source, entrusted to an order of Orthodox nuns, and its southern delta, where caviar bound for the Kremlin is harvested, the author journeys through a defiant country transformed by war, sanctions, and reinvigorated patriotism.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Those sanctioned include Iran’s interior minister, senior IRGC commanders, police chiefs, judges from revolutionary courts and cyber officials involved in censorship and surveillance.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Just as those revolutionary murals have sun-bleached and blistered, so the heady jubilation of the students’ victory has become tarnished by infighting and division.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Experts warn that the stubborn metric has long-term implications for learning.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
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Wait 10 minutes before washing for milder stains or up to a week for more severe or stubborn stains.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rebellious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebellious. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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