as in rebellion
refusal to obey
her habitual rebelliousness eventually landed her in the principal's office
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Recent Examples of rebelliousness
The pseudo-goth hair and costume choices speak to an inner rebelliousness that isn’t so much unleashed as forced loose by a system that values the appearance of a mythical impartiality over her humanity, leaving her with little recourse but to step outside the confines of the law.
—
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 23 Feb. 2026
The natural obstinacy and rebelliousness of Israa’s teenage years are hyperaccelerated by culture clashes with both her family and the other kids around her.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2026
This transit stokes your sense of independence and even rebelliousness, inspiring you to strike out against convention and innovate more than ever.
—Maressa Brown, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026
At times, Carol’s admirable rebelliousness seems to come at the cost of self-flagellating destruction, a badge of honor to be miserable.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 8 Nov. 2025
The rebelliousness can be witnessed in everything from its ’70s-in-California style to the very naming conventions Mother chooses for its viral products — adored by A-listers like Gigi Hadid, Chrissy Teigen, Millie Bobby Brown, and more.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Footwear News, 22 Sep. 2025
This element of female rebelliousness is very important to me.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 23 Feb. 2026
The natural obstinacy and rebelliousness of Israa’s teenage years are hyperaccelerated by culture clashes with both her family and the other kids around her.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2026
This transit stokes your sense of independence and even rebelliousness, inspiring you to strike out against convention and innovate more than ever.
—Maressa Brown, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026
At times, Carol’s admirable rebelliousness seems to come at the cost of self-flagellating destruction, a badge of honor to be miserable.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 8 Nov. 2025
The rebelliousness can be witnessed in everything from its ’70s-in-California style to the very naming conventions Mother chooses for its viral products — adored by A-listers like Gigi Hadid, Chrissy Teigen, Millie Bobby Brown, and more.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Footwear News, 22 Sep. 2025
This element of female rebelliousness is very important to me.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebelliousness
Noun
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Through the personal stories of activists and intense courtroom battles, host Brendan Patrick Hughes explores themes of faith, rebellion, and the complexities of confronting injustice, ultimately offering a compelling blueprint for modern activism.—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2026
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Focus Features has set a Sept 11 release for the Paul Greengrass directed, Andrew Garfield starring The Uprising, which follows the untold true story of a ferocious rebellion against the tyranny of King Richard II.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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There was elegant defiance this week as Pat Riley in an opening statement answered the question before it could be asked at his annual season-ending media session.—
Greg Cote
April 28,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
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Forced into an uneasy alliance with a sharp-witted poacher living on the margins of society (Kellyman), the two women fight back, turning their powerlessness into strength through violence, wit, and defiance.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Those leaders who ignore or flout the law aren’t merely unethical but fatally arrogant, putting their childish willfulness over the wisdom of generations.—
David Brooks,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
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Though the Durutti Column had been a disaster, Wilson was fascinated by the guitarist, who admired punk’s willfulness even though his own musical taste tended toward jazz, blues, and the classical tradition.—
Brad Shoup,
Pitchfork,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rebelliousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebelliousness. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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