1. Prone to or participating in a rebellion: rebellious army officers. See Synonyms at insubordinate.

2. Of, relating to, or characteristic of a rebel or rebellion: Rebellious activity has diminished in the province.

3. Characterized by or expressing resistance to or defiance of authority or convention: a rebellious teenager; a rebellious artistic movement.

4. Resistant to treatment or adjustment: "battled with characteristically rebellious plumbing" (Isabella Tree).