rebellious

[ ri-bel-yuhs ]

adjective

1. defying or resisting some established authority, government, or tradition; insubordinate; inclined to rebel.

   Synonyms: contumacious, disobedient, refractory, rebel, seditious, mutinous, insurgent, defiant

2. pertaining to or characteristic of rebels or rebellion.
3. (of things) resisting treatment; refractory.

rebellious

/ rɪˈbɛljəs /

adjective

1. showing a tendency towards rebellion
2. (of a problem, etc) difficult to overcome; refractory

Derived Forms

• reˈbelliousness, noun
• reˈbelliously, adverb

Other Words From

• re·bellious·ly adverb
• re·bellious·ness noun
• half-re·bellious adjective
• half-re·bellious·ly adverb
• half-re·bellious·ness noun
• nonre·bellious adjective
• nonre·bellious·ly adverb
• nonre·bellious·ness noun
• quasi-re·bellious adjective
• quasi-re·bellious·ly adverb
• semi·re·bellious adjective
• semi·re·bellious·ly adverb
• semi·re·bellious·ness noun
• unre·bellious adjective
• unre·bellious·ly adverb
• unre·bellious·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rebellious¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin rebelliōsus, from Latin rebelli(ō) “war renewal, revolt” ( rebellion ) + -ōsus -ous

Example Sentences

Didion’s work often alluded to a rebellious past, but Babitz was the true bohemian, Anolik says.

From Los Angeles Times

The core group includes the rebellious but highly competent Beckett Mariner, the over-eager and by-the-books Brad Boimler, the optimistic space pirate-turned-science enthusiast D’Vana Tendi and the happy-go-lucky engineering prodigy Sam Rutherford.

From Los Angeles Times

Considered one of South Asia's greatest abstract painters, Gaitonde was part of a rebellious generation of artists who laid the foundation for a new era of Indian art in the mid-20th Century.

From BBC

By speaking out, they have turned into rebellious women who are condemned for their boldness.

From Salon

Brat is also about being hedonistic and rebellious, something Charli says was inspired by her early days of performing at illegal raves, which is again in stark contrast to other popular aesthetics that focus on staying at home and living a wholesome life.

From BBC

Related Words

• alienated
• disaffected
• fractious
• recalcitrant
• restless
• turbulent
• unruly
• warring