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
Like a rebellious band member or an unruly lover, Takahiro Miyashita has a talent for breaking up and making up.
—
Ashley Ogawa Clarke, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026
Embracing the brand's rebellious nature, Roan sported a Marie Antoinette-esque dress with wide shoulder pads and a ruffled neckline.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 9 Mar. 2026
Theirs was a rebellious poetics of beauty, or a beautiful poetics of rebellion.
—Taran Dugal, New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2026
Yet his work is perhaps closer to the rebellious energy of Dutch painter Theo van Doesburg, for whom the diagonal line was synonymous with disruption.
—Elinore Weil, Artforum, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rebellious
Ashley Ogawa Clarke, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026
Embracing the brand's rebellious nature, Roan sported a Marie Antoinette-esque dress with wide shoulder pads and a ruffled neckline.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 9 Mar. 2026
Theirs was a rebellious poetics of beauty, or a beautiful poetics of rebellion.
—Taran Dugal, New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2026
Yet his work is perhaps closer to the rebellious energy of Dutch painter Theo van Doesburg, for whom the diagonal line was synonymous with disruption.
—Elinore Weil, Artforum, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rebellious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebellious
Adjective
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And for two of those elections, in 1984 and 1988, the party endured a primary that pitted more establishment centrist candidates (Walter Mondale and Michael Dukakis) against an insurgent firebrand Black populist, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson.—
Abby Phillip,
Time,
4 Dec. 2025
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Although some analysts have suggested Starmer may quietly be pleased with the resignation of his main rival and potential successor, the toppling of Rayner caps off what has been a dreadful summer for Labour, in which the party has lost more ground in the polls to the insurgent Reform UK.—
Max Foster,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The rebel group said that the attack killed three people, but the number couldn't be immediately confirmed.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Mar. 2026
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The rebel group said that the attack killed three people, but the number couldn’t be immediately confirmed.—
Ruth Alonga,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Russell fabricates a lie with the rest of the villains, and the heroes believe it, despite a warning from one traitorous tribemate.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Dec. 2025
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That video drew the ire of President Donald Trump, who deemed it traitorous.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
25 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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In northern Israel daily rockets are keeping people on edge but also defiant.—
Greg Dixon,
NPR,
11 Mar. 2026
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Iran’s leaders have remained defiant after days of heavy strikes targeting the country’s leadership, military, ballistic missiles and disputed nuclear program.—
Samy Magdy,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Republic of China, Taiwan’s official name, was founded by revolutionary statesman Sun Yat-sen and his Nationalist movement on the mainland in 1912.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
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Rubio is the son of Cuban immigrants who came to Florida three years before Castro’s brother, revolutionary Fidel Castro, rose to power in 1959.—
Ana Ceballos
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Its hot water wash dissolves stubborn grease on the mop pads, while its specialized Curv design prevents long hair from tangling around the brushes.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
17 Mar. 2026
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For any stubborn coffee stains on the carafe, apply baking soda directly to the interior surface and gently scrub with a soft sponge or toothbrush.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rebellious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebellious. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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