rebellious
adjective
re·bel·lious
ri-ˈbel-yəs 
1
2
: resisting treatment or management : refractory
rebelliously
adverb
rebelliousness
noun
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
In the Wild West, mavericks, often rebellious individuals — played enormous roles.
—
Jim Martin, Denver Post, 3 Aug. 2025
One character, Seldom Seen Slim, left behind his church upbringing to join Abbey’s rebellious ecoreligion, which gained converts among many extreme desert lovers who read his book.
—Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 1 Aug. 2025
The movie’s off-color humor wouldn’t fly today, but its rebellious spirit remains hilariously defiant — a refreshingly rude retort to the niceties of family films and their cringey feel-good messages.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 25 July 2025
So the things that were very evil and very rebellious, and the things that I was judged for — I was labeled this crazy girl.
—Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for rebellious
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Jim Martin, Denver Post, 3 Aug. 2025
One character, Seldom Seen Slim, left behind his church upbringing to join Abbey’s rebellious ecoreligion, which gained converts among many extreme desert lovers who read his book.
—Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 1 Aug. 2025
The movie’s off-color humor wouldn’t fly today, but its rebellious spirit remains hilariously defiant — a refreshingly rude retort to the niceties of family films and their cringey feel-good messages.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 25 July 2025
So the things that were very evil and very rebellious, and the things that I was judged for — I was labeled this crazy girl.
—Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for rebellious
Cite this Entry
“Rebellious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rebellious. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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