Word: rebellious

Associations

The word "rebellious" describes someone who resists or opposes authority or control. It often refers to individuals who do not want to follow rules or expectations.

• A teenager might be described as rebellious if they refuse to follow their parents' rules and do what they want instead.
• In school, a student may display rebellious behavior by refusing to listen to a teacher's instructions during class.
• A character in a movie might be seen as rebellious if they challenge a corrupt government.

A well-known synonym for "rebellious" is "defiant." The difference is that "rebellious" often refers to a broader resistance to authority, while "defiant" specifically suggests an open challenge or disregard for authority.

Substitution

In place of "rebellious," you can use:

• Insurgent: This often has a stronger political connotation, relating to armed resistance.
• Disobedient: This focuses on not obeying specific rules or commands rather than an overall attitude.
• Nonconformist: This suggests a broader lifestyle choice that goes against social norms rather than just resisting authority.

Deconstruction

The word "rebellious" comes from the root "rebel," which itself comes from the Latin "rebellis," meaning "to fight back." The prefix "re-" conveys the idea of doing something again or against, while the suffix "-ious" indicates that the word is an adjective, describing a quality or state.

Inquiry

• Why do you think some people enjoy being rebellious while others prefer to follow rules?
• Can you think of a time in your life when you felt rebellious? What happened?
• How do you think society views rebelliousness? Is it seen as a positive or negative trait?