rebellious

re·bel·lious

adj \-yəs\

Definition of REBELLIOUS

1

a : given to or engaged in rebellion <rebellious troops> b : of, relating to, or characteristic of a rebel or rebellion <a rebellious speech>

2

: resisting treatment or management : refractory

— re·bel·lious·ly adverb

— re·bel·lious·ness noun

Examples of REBELLIOUS

1. <the rebellious troops fought a pitched battle with divisions still loyal to the government>
2. <expected her son to grow a little more rebellious as he got older, but she knew he understood when to kick and when to obey>

First Known Use of REBELLIOUS

15th century

Related to REBELLIOUS

Synonyms: insurgent, insurrectionary, mutinous, revolutionary

Antonyms: amenable, biddable, compliant, conformable, docile, obedient, ruly, submissive, tractable

Related Words: seditious, traitorous, treacherous, treasonous; agitating, demagogic, rabble-rousing; defiant, disobedient, insubordinate, intractable, recalcitrant, refractory, restive, ungovernable, unruly

Near Antonyms: constant, devoted, loyal, staunch (also stanch), steadfast, true, true-blue; compliant, obedient, submissive, tractable

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism