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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rebellious
The Clash are singing of a city aflame, the Sex Pistols are somehow getting more popular after imploding on tour, and on every street corner, mohawks and safety pins are on rebellious display.
—
Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 7 May 2026
These incursions, and Sardinians’ rebellious responses to them, have become an integral part of the island’s identity passed down through generations.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 May 2026
The epitome of an enfant terrible, Rimbaud was a rebellious adolescent with a tempestuous personal life (ask fellow poet Paul Verlaine).
—René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May 2026
So, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has quieted some rebellious voices by campaigning for aggressively redrawn congressional maps, Democrats should be aware of how dogged their opponents are willing to get.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rebellious
Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 7 May 2026
These incursions, and Sardinians’ rebellious responses to them, have become an integral part of the island’s identity passed down through generations.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 May 2026
The epitome of an enfant terrible, Rimbaud was a rebellious adolescent with a tempestuous personal life (ask fellow poet Paul Verlaine).
—René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May 2026
So, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has quieted some rebellious voices by campaigning for aggressively redrawn congressional maps, Democrats should be aware of how dogged their opponents are willing to get.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rebellious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebellious
Adjective
-
So the insurgent vibe is now directed in a different direction.—
Katie Drummond,
Wired News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
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
-
When Aleppo fell in late November, in part due to that tunnel operation that cut off the regime's supply lines, the rebel groups made a split-second decision to continue the offensive.—
Emily Feng,
NPR,
17 May 2026
-
Fuel and fertilizer needed for the rice crop are just the latest necessities to become unaffordable in Rakhine state, which has been devastated by intense fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA), one of the many rebel groups in the country.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
And at the very center of Hell is Satan himself, the traitorous Archangel Lucifer, depicted as a monstrous creature with wings and three heads.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
11 May 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s defiant bid to face down a rebellion left his future in the balance Wednesday, but that wasn’t going to stop the United Kingdom playing dress-up for the ceremonial State Opening of Parliament.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
-
Plum is braless, her vest open to reveal a shimmery pile of silver chains, her abs on defiant display.—
Jade Chang,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Atlanta offers a unique laboratory where chefs test ideas to determine if temporary kitchens can transform into revolutionary restaurants.—
Sam Flemming,
AJC.com,
14 May 2026
-
But Connecticut lacks the colonial cache of Massachusetts and its revolutionary figures like Samuel Adams and Paul Revere, both of whom have been named by the White House as slated for inclusion in the Garden of Heroes.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
David Paul Morris / Bloomberg via Getty Images Are Americans finally starting to feel the strain of soaring gas prices and stubborn inflation?—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
19 May 2026
-
Treasury yields have gone up in recent months as stubborn inflation reduces the likelihood of Fed rate cuts, Pisula notes, while geopolitical tensions add more long-term risk to rates.—
Tim Maxwell,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rebellious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebellious. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
