Rebellious: meaning, definitions and examples

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rebellious

 

[ rɪˈbɛljəs ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

behavior

Showing a desire to resist authority, control, or convention.

Synonyms

defiant, disobedient, insubordinate, unruly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
rebellious

Used to describe someone who resists authority or control in a strong, often passionate way, usually against societal norms or rules.

  • Teenagers often go through a rebellious phase.
  • The artist was known for her rebellious spirit.
defiant

Best suited for someone showing a bold resistance to authority or an opposing force, often with a confrontational attitude.

  • She gave a defiant look to the police officer.
  • His defiant attitude landed him in trouble.
insubordinate

Applied in formal or workplace settings to describe someone who refuses to obey authority, commands, or rules, often leading to disciplinary actions.

  • The insubordinate employee was warned by his manager.
  • He faced consequences for being insubordinate.
disobedient

Describes someone who refuses to follow orders or rules, commonly used in a negative sense, especially regarding children or pets.

  • The disobedient dog refused to sit.
  • Her disobedient behavior was a constant issue in class.
unruly

Used to describe someone or something difficult to control or manage, often because they behave in a wild or lawless manner.

  • The unruly children made a mess of the room.
  • Her unruly hair was impossible to tame.

Examples of usage

  • He was always getting into trouble at school for his rebellious behavior.
  • The rebellious teenager refused to follow the rules set by his parents.
Context #2 | Adjective

nature

Having or showing a strong desire to resist authority or control.

Synonyms

contrary, defiant, insubordinate, unruly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
rebellious

Used to describe someone who resists authority or control and often involves a sense of active resistance or a desire for change.

  • Teenagers can be very rebellious, challenging their parents' rules at every turn
  • The revolutionary leader had a rebellious spirit, always fighting against the oppressive regime
defiant

Implies a bold resistance against authority, rules, or norms, often in a confrontational way.

  • The defiant student stood up and walked out of the classroom
  • Her defiant attitude made it clear she wouldn't comply with the new policy
insubordinate

Specifically used in hierarchical or workplace situations to describe someone who disobeys orders or refuses to follow instructions from a superior.

  • The soldier was court-martialed for being insubordinate to his commanding officer
  • The employee was reprimanded for her insubordinate behavior during the meeting
contrary

Indicates someone who deliberately does the opposite of what is expected or requested, often just to be difficult.

  • She has a contrary nature, always insisting on arguing the opposite point of view
  • Despite knowing the guidelines, he took a contrary approach just to provoke a reaction
unruly

Describes someone difficult to control or manage, often used in contexts involving behavior that is wild and disorganized.

  • The unruly crowd at the concert made it difficult for security to maintain order
  • His unruly hair was always sticking out in different directions

Examples of usage

  • Her rebellious spirit led her to challenge the status quo.
  • The artist's rebellious nature was reflected in his unconventional artworks.

Translations

Translations of the word "rebellious" in other languages:

🇵🇹 rebelde

🇮🇳 विद्रोही

🇩🇪 rebellisch

🇮🇩 pemberontak

🇺🇦 бунтівний

🇵🇱 buntowniczy

🇯🇵 反抗的な (hankō-teki na)

🇫🇷 rebelle

🇪🇸 rebelde

🇹🇷 isyancı

🇰🇷 반항적인 (banhangjeog-in)

🇸🇦 متمرد (mutamarrid)

🇨🇿 rebelující

🇸🇰 rebelský

🇨🇳 反叛的 (fǎnpàn de)

🇸🇮 uporniški

🇮🇸 uppreisnargjarn

🇰🇿 көтерілісші

🇬🇪 მეამბოხე (meambokhe)

🇦🇿 üsyankar

🇲🇽 rebelde

Etymology

The word 'rebellious' originated from the Latin word 'rebellis', which means 'rebellious, insurgent'. It first appeared in the English language in the late 14th century. The concept of rebellion has been a part of human history for centuries, with individuals and groups challenging authority and societal norms. The term 'rebellious' is often associated with defiance, resistance, and nonconformity.

See also: rebel, rebelling, rebellion, rebelliously, rebelliousness.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,028, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.