1
as in insurgent
taking part in a rebellion
the rebellious troops fought a pitched battle with divisions still loyal to the government
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rebellious
There is no suicidal or angry rose, there is no depressed or rebellious lily.
—
Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
Yet, there is a freedom and boldness to her work that speaks to the rebellious nature of street art.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
The film, helmed by returning director Yu, continues the story of Ne Zha, a rebellious and powerful young deity.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 18 Mar. 2025
And if his readership remained informed on his doings, the prince and his supporters didn’t succeed in silencing him and the rest of the rebellious faction.
—Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rebellious
Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
Yet, there is a freedom and boldness to her work that speaks to the rebellious nature of street art.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
The film, helmed by returning director Yu, continues the story of Ne Zha, a rebellious and powerful young deity.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 18 Mar. 2025
And if his readership remained informed on his doings, the prince and his supporters didn’t succeed in silencing him and the rest of the rebellious faction.
—Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rebellious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebellious
Adjective
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The photograph depicts a foot soldier in an insurgent religious movement trying to storm the halls of American power.—
John Blake,
CNN,
12 Jan. 2025
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Burrows' win marks a defeat for the insurgent right wing of the GOP that eschewed working with Democrats.—
Shafaq Patel,
Axios,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Lamar Johnson’s Henry Burrell was a collaborator on the run from a rebel group different from The Fireflies in Kansas City, where the QZ and all FEDRA presence had been dissolved.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
11 Apr. 2025
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In the wake of the earthquake, the shadow government in exile, known as the National Unity Government, and an alliance of three rebel groups announced cease-fires.—
Sui-Lee Wee,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Foreign military interventions can change victims from being viewed as a nuisance into being seen as powerful and traitorous enemies, potentially capable of exacting revenge, seizing power, or breaking away from the state.—
Benjamin A. Valentino,
Foreign Affairs,
17 Oct. 2011
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But what will their first move as a traitorous duo be?—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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More: China defiant, accuses Trump of 'blackmail' over 104% tariff threat: Live updates On Monday, Trump described similar negotiations underway with Japan as world leaders try to convince the U.S. president to roll back his new tariffs on all imports.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2025
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What To Know Trump has remained defiant despite mounting fears of recession and a plunging stock market.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Celebrated annually on March 26, Air Max Day was established in 2014 to honor the debut of Nike’s revolutionary Air Max technology.—
Tiana Randall,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
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Then, Netanyahu was attempting something revolutionary and unpopular and also had to worry about public pressure fracturing his coalition at the outset of his term.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Despite growing consternation and concern expressed by economists and CEOs, Trump administration officials have been stubborn in defending its trade policies.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2025
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Ocasio-Cortez might have a good shot at cracking that stubborn nut.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rebellious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebellious. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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