# rebellious

/ɹəˈbɛɫjəs/ (US) · /ɹɪbˈɛlɪəs/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rebellious
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

unwilling to obey rules or follow the orders of people in power. You use this to describe someone who fights against authority or traditional ways of doing things.

For teachers: showing a desire to resist authority, control, or convention. Often used to describe adolescent behavior or political opposition.

## Examples

- The rebellious teenager refused to follow the school's dress code.
- The company's success was built on a rebellious spirit that challenged every established rule in the industry.
- Historians often debate whether the uprising was a truly rebellious movement aimed at systemic change or merely a spontaneous reaction to temporary food shortages.

## Usage notes

- Typically used attributively before a noun or predicatively after linking verbs like 'become' or 'remain'.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.