rebellious

American  

[ri-bel-yuhs] / rɪˈbɛl yəs /

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.

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rebellious British  

/ rɪˈbɛljəs /

adjective

1. showing a tendency towards rebellion

2. (of a problem, etc) difficult to overcome; refractory

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Usage

What does rebellious mean? Rebellious is an adjective that describes someone who resists or defies rules. Someone who acts in such a way can be called a rebel. However, the word rebel can also be used to refer to a revolutionary trying to overthrow a government. Such actions can be described as rebellious, but rebellious is much more commonly used to describe people or actions that break the rules, resist authority, or otherwise challenge the status quo. It’s especially applied to teenagers who act this way. The noun rebelliousness refers to such behavior. The noun rebellion can refer to this, but it’s also used to refer to an attempt to overthrow a government (rebelliousness isn’t typically used this way.)Example: Danielle was labeled rebellious for refusing to wear her uniform to school.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• semirebelliously
  adverb
• unrebelliously
  adverb
• semirebellious
  adjective
• half-rebelliously
  adverb
• quasi-rebellious
  adjective
• nonrebelliousness
  noun
• nonrebellious
  adjective
• unrebelliousness
  noun
• half-rebelliousness
  noun
• nonrebelliously
  adverb
• rebelliousness
  noun
• unrebellious
  adjective
• rebelliously
  adverb
• semirebelliousness
  noun
• half-rebellious
  adjective
• quasi-rebelliously
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of rebellious

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

Explanation

A rebellious person likes to challenge authority and break the rules every now and then. A really rebellious group tries to overthrow the government. Being rebellious is part of the American character. If the colonies hadn't been rebellious enough to rebel against England, there would be no United States. Large groups of people can be rebellious, but so can individuals. A student who talks back to the teacher is being rebellious. An employee who ignores a dress code is being rebellious. Anywhere there's an authority, someone is probably acting rebellious toward it.

Example Sentences

Ms. Kuin, a classicist at the University of Virginia, presents many of them in “Diogenes: The Rebellious Life and Revolutionary Philosophy of the Original Cynic.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025

The "Toxic" singer said her artwork was an "expression" of how she's "feeling at the moment": "Rebellious… colorful…bright…bold …spontaneous…magical."

From Fox News • Jul. 27, 2021

Rebellious teenagers and hip-hop heads weren’t the only people paying attention.

From Slate • Feb. 14, 2020

Rebellious pilot Jake Pentecost and his estranged sister must lead a brave new generation of fighters against otherworldly monsters that want to destroy humanity.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 19, 2019

Rebellious and full of rage, he could offer me no safety, only greater danger.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Related Words

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