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
Defender’s role in that family is the rugged, rebellious brother who misbehaves out in the wild while Discovery gets the princes and princesses off to boarding school.
—
John Scott Lewinski, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2026
Ea summoned the womb-goddess Belet-ili to create man from clay, divine spit, and the heart of the rebellious Nusku.
—Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Provincial governors in Bijapur soon displayed rebellious tendencies, creating instability within the kingdom.
—Sanat Pai Raikarall, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Apr. 2026
Michelle Trachtenberg had a recurring role on Gossip Girl as Georgina Sparks, a rebellious wild child and past frenemy of Lively's Serena.
—Rachel Desantis, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rebellious
John Scott Lewinski, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2026
Ea summoned the womb-goddess Belet-ili to create man from clay, divine spit, and the heart of the rebellious Nusku.
—Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Provincial governors in Bijapur soon displayed rebellious tendencies, creating instability within the kingdom.
—Sanat Pai Raikarall, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Apr. 2026
Michelle Trachtenberg had a recurring role on Gossip Girl as Georgina Sparks, a rebellious wild child and past frenemy of Lively's Serena.
—Rachel Desantis, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rebellious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebellious
Adjective
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So the insurgent vibe is now directed in a different direction.—
Katie Drummond,
Wired News,
24 Mar. 2026
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The pressure on Mamdani will be intense, as his administration will be seen nationwide as a barometer of the insurgent socialist movement's ability to govern.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
31 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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In December 2024, a rebel offensive led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham swept through the country with stunning speed, toppling the Assad regime that had ruled Syria since 1970.—
Steve H. Hanke,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2026
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In a message Monday on X, Sánchez said that so far there were no signs indicating that the plane was attacked by rebel groups that operate near Puerto Leguizamo.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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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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The applause after the final whistle on Tuesday night and the defiant chants of an appreciative Kop spoke to a gutsy performance against Paris Saint-Germain.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
15 Apr. 2026
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Iran trolls Trump about blockade Iran struck a defiant tone ahead of the blockade’s start.—
Garrett Downs,
CNBC,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Against a backdrop of tennis courts, luxury hotels, and colonial privilege, simmering tensions erupt as Lan’s brother Tran rejects his wealthy family’s collaboration with the French to join Ho Chi Minh’s revolutionary cause, setting off an assassination that changes everything.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
15 Apr. 2026
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Brightman concludes that the gusher in AI investment doesn’t mean that this revolutionary advance will prove a big profit spinner for the Big Four.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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More than a day later, firefighters remained on scene to douse stubborn hotspots.—
Naveen Dhaliwal,
CBS News,
19 Apr. 2026
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Use a cooktop scraper or soft sponge to remove stubborn residue while the cooktop is still warm for easier cleaning.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
18 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rebellious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebellious. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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