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
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rebellious
The director Nadia Fall confidently examines how the quiet Doe and brassy Muna are just teens: naive and rebellious, headstrong and confused.
—
David Sims, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2025
Ali is a directionless and rebellious 17-year-old girl with an overprotective mother who eventually finds her passion in music after taking piano lessons from an elderly woman in her apartment building.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
Talking about the soul is more rebellious than talking about Marxist revolution.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 1 Feb. 2025
However, expect a surprising shift on Feb. 10 as Mercury goes head-to-head with rebellious Uranus in your sign.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rebellious
David Sims, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2025
Ali is a directionless and rebellious 17-year-old girl with an overprotective mother who eventually finds her passion in music after taking piano lessons from an elderly woman in her apartment building.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
Talking about the soul is more rebellious than talking about Marxist revolution.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 1 Feb. 2025
However, expect a surprising shift on Feb. 10 as Mercury goes head-to-head with rebellious Uranus in your sign.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rebellious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebellious
Adjective
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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
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Members of the insurgent forces also told NBC News that bombing by Russian aircraft overnight also focused on the Rustan bridge along the main route to Homs, presumably in a bid to slow the rebels' advance.—
Ammar Cheikh Omar,
NBC News,
6 Dec. 2024
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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The blame for this terrifying scenario, McCarthy declared, rested with traitorous federal employees, who had sold their country out and had to be purged from its service.—
Made by History,
TIME,
9 Feb. 2025
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Guinevere, usually relegated to the thankless role of traitorous wife, acts here as Arthur’s beloved confidante.—
Elizabeth Hand,
Washington Post,
16 July 2024
Adjective
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That’s a defiant stance for a horror movie to take.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
21 Feb. 2025
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Pierce answered all of them in resounding, almost defiant, fashion.—
James Boyd,
The Athletic,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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When Arnault took control of LVMH, his strategy wasn't revolutionary: maintaining luxury brand exclusivity while expanding global reach.—
Marius Ivanauskas,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
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Enter Khadija Imara who co-founded an innovative and revolutionary hair comb that efficiently unravels multiple braids at the same time while also detangling hair – The Original Unbraider.—
Sheilla Mamona,
refinery29.com,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Still facing a stubborn staffing crunch, the New York City Department of Correction will require officers to work mandatory 12-hour tours in a number of city jails, a move immediately criticized by their union.—
Graham Rayman,
New York Daily News,
21 Feb. 2025
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The financial outlook from nation’s largest retailer, which has thrived amid stubborn inflation, delivered a jolt across the retail sector.—
Anne D’Innocenzio,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rebellious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebellious. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025.
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