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
Amber Tamblyn starred as Tibby, who, with her green-streaked hair and resentful attitude, is among the more rebellious girls in the sisterhood.
—
EW.com, 28 June 2025
Naturally, there’s also friction between rebellious Cady and her aunt, whose alarmism after the renegade M3GAN disaster in the first movie means computer science enthusiast Cady has to keep her own robotics projects hidden.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2025
But like West Virginia, the GOP nationally has come to revere the rebellious populism of Andrew Jackson or even the heroes of the Confederacy more often than the sober, sacrificial republicanism of Lincoln.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 20 June 2025
Mexican music has always been rock-ish in spirit — sincere, rebellious, a direct message that invites you to rebel against the world.
—Ernesto Lechner, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rebellious
EW.com, 28 June 2025
Naturally, there’s also friction between rebellious Cady and her aunt, whose alarmism after the renegade M3GAN disaster in the first movie means computer science enthusiast Cady has to keep her own robotics projects hidden.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2025
But like West Virginia, the GOP nationally has come to revere the rebellious populism of Andrew Jackson or even the heroes of the Confederacy more often than the sober, sacrificial republicanism of Lincoln.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 20 June 2025
Mexican music has always been rock-ish in spirit — sincere, rebellious, a direct message that invites you to rebel against the world.
—Ernesto Lechner, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rebellious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebellious
Adjective
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And their coalition is divided between a centrist establishment and an insurgent progressive wing with diverging priorities in addressing inequality.—
Nathan Meyers,
The Conversation,
11 July 2025
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In the fight over the future of the Democratic Party, Mr. Pritzker has emerged as a leader of an insurgent faction calling for a full-throated, unflinching barrage of attacks on Mr. Trump, his Republican allies and their right-wing agenda.—
Lisa Lerer,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The country is currently led by former rebel commander Ahmed al-Sharaa who was appointed transitional president last March, having acted as its de-facto leader following Al-Assad’s flight to Russia.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
16 July 2025
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The president led 15,000 federalized militiamen from Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania into the west—though no rebel army materialized to oppose them.—
Time,
Time,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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There's a delicious whodunit aspect to it, too, as the list of five potentially traitorous suspects includes the operative's own high-profile wife (Cate Blanchett).—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
4 July 2025
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Michael Fassbender plays a British intelligence officer tasked with finding who leaked a top-secret software program and betrayed their country, and the list of five potentially traitorous suspects includes his own high-profile wife (Cate Blanchett).—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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On Monday, asked about the poll proposal at an unrelated event, Adams was defiant.—
Oren Oppenheim,
ABC News,
14 July 2025
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Trump's defiant response in Butler, Penn., may have fueled his big Election Day gains among male voters.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Despite being one of his earliest works, the home showed signs of Wright’s clever revolutionary design.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
14 July 2025
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This revolutionary new self-landing system is being installed in some private planes.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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But earth sign parents can also lean toward being stubborn and strict, which may cause friction during a stand off or while navigating discipline or tough conversations.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
15 July 2025
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If using for very stubborn stains, use Oxy Bleach powder, which will be gentler and less destructive.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rebellious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebellious. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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