as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
the disobedient child refused to eat his vegetables
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disobedient
Cats became associated with disobedient women like Agnes Waterhouse, thought to be the first woman executed for witchcraft in England upon her death in 1566.
—
Scottie Andrew, CNN, 27 July 2024
In her recent autobiography, Noem included a passage about her decision to shoot a 14-month-old, disobedient hunting dog named Cricket as an example of her leadership skills.
—Javier Zarracina, USA TODAY, 26 June 2024
One was unruly, willful and disobedient, and the other was calm and easy to be around.
—Haben Kelati, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2024
Snow White’s source was a disturbing fairy tale from the Brothers Grimm; Pinocchio was based on Carlo Collodi’s alarmingly cruel novel, The Adventures of Pinocchio, in which the disobedient puppet kills his cricket friend and, for separate reasons, is eventually hanged.
—Kelly Conaboy, The Atlantic, 28 Dec. 2023
See all Example Sentences for disobedient 
Scottie Andrew, CNN, 27 July 2024
In her recent autobiography, Noem included a passage about her decision to shoot a 14-month-old, disobedient hunting dog named Cricket as an example of her leadership skills.
—Javier Zarracina, USA TODAY, 26 June 2024
One was unruly, willful and disobedient, and the other was calm and easy to be around.
—Haben Kelati, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2024
Snow White’s source was a disturbing fairy tale from the Brothers Grimm; Pinocchio was based on Carlo Collodi’s alarmingly cruel novel, The Adventures of Pinocchio, in which the disobedient puppet kills his cricket friend and, for separate reasons, is eventually hanged.
—Kelly Conaboy, The Atlantic, 28 Dec. 2023
See all Example Sentences for disobedient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disobedient
Adjective
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The wildly rebellious press across Europe are a vibrant sign of its free speech.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN,
14 Feb. 2025
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Luna will meet with rebellious Uranus in a surprising trine, bringing a jolt of excitement and unexpected revelations to your love life.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The shocking defeat of Bashar al-Assad’s regime by rebel groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham prompted a groundswell of domestic and international optimism.—
Jesse Marks,
Foreign Affairs,
11 Feb. 2025
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Nearly 3,000 people were killed over the past week in fighting between a rebel group and Congolese armed forces, the U.N. estimated.—
Natasha Frost,
New York Times,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But rather the simple act of playing pretend, which, when done in a maximum security prison facility and by men of color specifically, can be a defiant, life-affirming and rehabilitating act in itself.—
Matt Brennan,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2025
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However, just as much as her lyrics speak to the heart, her fashion choices serve as an extension of the same values: freedom, self-empowerment, and a defiant celebration of Blackness.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
3 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near disobedient
Cite this Entry
“Disobedient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disobedient. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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