Rebellious
adjective
Definition
1. Refusing to obey rules or authority.
2. Opposing or fighting against a government or established power.
2. Opposing or fighting against a government or established power.
Context Alive
He used to be the quiet kid in class. But when he turned fifteen, everything changed. He became increasingly rebellious, skipping school, arguing with teachers, and refusing to follow any rules at home. His parents didn’t know what to do with him.
Meanings
2 meanings
1
Refusing to Obey Rules or Authority (Adjective)
Very Common
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This meaning is about someone who resists rules, challenges authority, and refuses to do what they’re told. Imagine a teenager who dyes their hair bright red, stays out past curfew, and argues with every adult who tries to tell them what to do. That’s a rebellious teenager — someone who pushes back against the rules around them. This is being rebellious in everyday life. You might hear “she went through a rebellious phase in high school” or “he’s always had a rebellious streak.” Or think about an employee who openly ignores the company dress code and does things their own way. The word suggests defiance and a strong desire for independence. ✏️ Being rebellious isn’t always negative — it can also suggest courage, independence, and a refusal to accept things blindly.
Vivid ExampleAt sixteen, she cut her hair short and started wearing clothes her parents hated. It was her way of being rebellious and showing the world she could make her own decisions. Looking back years later, she laughed at how seriously she took it all.
2
Opposing or Fighting Against a Government or Authority (Adjective)
Common
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This meaning is about groups of people who actively resist or fight against a government, ruler, or powerful institution. Imagine a region of a country where people refuse to accept the central government’s authority. They organize protests, demand independence, and sometimes even take up arms. This is a rebellious group — they are in open opposition to the power above them. You might read “the army was sent to control the rebellious province” or “rebellious members of the party voted against the leader.” Or think about a historical moment where rebellious colonies fought for their freedom from an empire. The word carries a sense of organized resistance and political defiance. ✏️ In political contexts, rebellious often appears with words like “forces,” “faction,” “region,” or “backbenchers” in parliament.
Vivid ExampleThe government had ignored the northern territories for decades. Eventually, the people there grew increasingly rebellious, organizing strikes and blocking major roads. The situation escalated until the president had no choice but to open negotiations.
Examples from the Street
“He was always the rebellious one in the family — never did what he was told.”
He was always the one who refused to follow rules or obey authority in the household
“She went through a rebellious phase as a teenager — piercings, skipping school, the lot.”
She had a period of defiant, rule-breaking behaviour as a young person — body jewellery, missing classes, everything
“There’s something rebellious about the way she dresses — she doesn’t care what anyone thinks.”
There’s a defiant, non-conformist quality to her clothing style — other people’s opinions don’t bother her at all
Common Patterns
a rebellious teenager/child/student → a young person who resists rules and authority
a rebellious phase/streak/side → a period or aspect of someone’s personality that resists control
rebellious behaviour/attitude → actions or a mindset that deliberately challenge authority
feel/become rebellious → start feeling the urge to resist or defy rules
naturally rebellious → having a built-in tendency to challenge authority
fiercely/deeply rebellious → strongly and intensely resistant to control
a rebellious spirit/nature → a personality that instinctively resists conformity
rebellious art/music/fashion → creative expression that deliberately breaks established rules
something rebellious about (someone/something) → an appealing quality of defiance or non-conformity
rebellious ideas/thinking → views that challenge the established way of doing things
Collocations
3 collocationsrebellious streak
a tendency to challenge authority
rebellious teenager
a young person who defies rules
rebellious spirit
a nature that resists conformity
Example Sentences
12 examples
1
He was a rebellious teenager who constantly clashed with his parents over everything
He was a defiant young person who was always in conflict with his mother and father about anything and everything.
2
She went through a rebellious phase at university and dropped out to travel the world
She had a period of rejecting expectations during her studies and quit to explore different countries.
3
There’s a rebellious streak in her that makes her question every rule she’s given
There’s a defiant side to her personality that drives her to challenge every instruction she receives.
4
The band had a rebellious attitude that made them hugely popular with young people
The music group had a rule-breaking, anti-authority mindset that made them extremely appealing to the younger generation.
5
He’s always been naturally rebellious — even as a small child, he refused to do anything he was told
He’s always had an inborn tendency to resist authority — even when he was very young, he wouldn’t follow any instructions.
6
Punk was born out of a fiercely rebellious spirit that rejected everything mainstream
That style of music emerged from an intensely defiant attitude that turned its back on anything considered normal or popular.
7
I’m starting to feel rebellious — I’m tired of following rules that make no sense
I’m beginning to want to push back — I’m fed up with obeying instructions that have no logic behind them.
8
There’s something rebellious about the way he refuses to wear a suit to the office
There’s a quietly defiant quality in the way he won’t dress formally for work.
9
Her rebellious ideas about education were dismissed at first but are now widely accepted
Her unconventional, challenging views on teaching were initially ignored but have since become mainstream.
10
The film captures the energy of rebellious youth in 1960s America perfectly
The movie brilliantly portrays the defiant, anti-authority spirit of young people in mid-twentieth-century America.
Learner Examples
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Every teacher has dealt with a rebellious student who refuses to participate — the trick is understanding why they’re resisting
Every educator has encountered a defiant pupil who won’t join in — the key is figuring out the reason behind their refusal.
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A healthy rebellious streak in learners can actually be positive — it means they’re questioning things rather than just memorising blindly
A reasonable amount of defiance in students can actually be a good thing — it shows they’re thinking critically instead of just learning everything by heart without understanding.
Phrasal Verbs & Idioms
0 items
Synonyms & Antonyms
7 items
Synonymsdefiant
refusing to obey
disobedient
not following rules
unruly
hard to control
resistant
pushing back
Antonymsobedient
following rules
compliant
going along with
submissive
giving in easily