rebellious

adjective

re·​bel·​lious ri-ˈbel-yəs 

1

a

: given to or engaged in rebellion

rebellious troops

b

: of, relating to, or characteristic of a rebel or rebellion

a rebellious speech

2

: resisting treatment or management : refractory

rebelliously adverb

rebelliousness noun

Synonyms

• insurgent
• insurrectionary
• mutinous
• revolutionary

Examples of rebellious in a Sentence

the rebellious troops fought a pitched battle with divisions still loyal to the government

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

Recent Examples on the Web

On Wednesday, March 12, The Kardashians star was joined by her mother Kris Jenner for the latest episode of her Khloé in Wonderland podcast, where the two looked back at some of Khloé's rebellious childhood moments. —Esther Kang, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025

Mickey, tasked with keeping her rebellious sister in line, never had the opportunity to be a kid. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 12 Mar. 2025

But in 1862, Congress declared that any slave with a rebellious master who reached federal lines would be free. —Barbara Spindel, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Mar. 2025

Trump, in a post on Truth Social, urged House Republicans to coalesce behind the measure and admonished rebellious conservatives to stay in line. —Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 11 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing rebellious

• rebellious streak

Kids Definition

rebellious

adjective

re·​bel·​lious ri-ˈbel-yəs 

1

: taking part in rebellion

2

: tending to fight against or disobey authority

rebelliously adverb

rebelliousness noun