definitions

rebellious

[ ri-bel-yuhs ]
/ rɪˈbɛl yəs /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR rebellious ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

defying or resisting some established authority, government, or tradition; insubordinate; inclined to rebel.
pertaining to or characteristic of rebels or rebellion.
(of things) resisting treatment; refractory.

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RELATED WORDS

provocation, spite, rebellion, confrontation, opposition, contempt, insubordination, recalcitrance, disobedience, refractoriness, stump, insurgency, obstreperousness, cartel, temerity, insurgence, guts, obstinacy, lip, dare

Nearby words

rebekah, rebel, rebel yell, rebeldom, rebellion, rebellious, rebellow, rebid, rebiddable, rebirth, rebirthing

Origin of rebellious

1400–50; late Middle English < Medieval Latin rebelliōsus, equivalent to Latin rebelli(ō) rebellion + -ōsus -ous
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for rebelliousness

British Dictionary definitions for rebelliousness

rebellious

/ (rɪˈbɛljəs) /

adjective

showing a tendency towards rebellion
(of a problem, etc) difficult to overcome; refractory
Derived Formsrebelliously, adverbrebelliousness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for rebelliousness

rebellious

adj.

early 15c., from Latin rebellis (see rebel (adj.)) + -ous. Related: Rebelliously; rebelliousness.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper