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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But rather the simple act of playing pretend, which, when done in a maximum security prison facility and by men of color specifically, can be a defiant, life-affirming and rehabilitating act in itself.—
Matt Brennan,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2025
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However, just as much as her lyrics speak to the heart, her fashion choices serve as an extension of the same values: freedom, self-empowerment, and a defiant celebration of Blackness.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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According to revolutionary new research, some birds rival primates and even humans in their remarkable forms of intelligence.—
Kevin Spencer,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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While the procedure may not seem revolutionary for mammals, marsupials are a different case altogether.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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America’s stubborn division was reflected at the nation on the largest stage possible.—
Kevin Dolak,
The Hollywood Reporter,
10 Feb. 2025
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The telescope now named for her will help unravel the stubborn mystery surrounding it.—
Jeffrey Kluger/Greenbelt,
TIME,
8 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near rebellious
Cite this Entry
“Rebellious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebellious. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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