English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
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adj

rebellious

ruh-BEH-lee-uhs
adj
1
Defying or resisting authority; inclined to rebel.
"The rebellious teenager refused to follow any of the house rules."
"A rebellious streak in the colony eventually led to open revolt."

How to Use Rebellious

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishFighting against rules, authority, or expectations.

Common pairings
a rebellious teenager a rebellious streak rebellious troops

Word Forms

more rebellious comparative, most rebellious superlative

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The _____ teenager refused to follow any of the house rules.

Etymology

From Middle English rebellious, built on rebel plus the adjective ending -ious.

Antonyms

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Rhymes for rebellious

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