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

He’s the most rebellious musician of all time, I think.

From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2026

Fashion advertisements, ranging from Revlon in the 1940s to Hanes in the 1960s, celebrated Eve’s rebellious action.

From Salon • May 17, 2026

Then, for his first haute couture collection, the 41-year-old Northern Irish designer presented a line with punk touches and floral accents, true to his rebellious spirit.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

In 1985 he joined the popular BBC Children's series Grange Hill, playing rebellious first-year Robbie Wright and was in the show until 1989.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

She wears the braid every day and always, by lunchtime, the curls and ringlets of her thick mane have managed to escape in rebellious little tendrils.

From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman

Related Words

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