adjective
- defying or resisting some established authority, government, or tradition; insubordinate; inclined to rebel.
- pertaining to or characteristic of rebels or rebellion.
- (of things) resisting treatment; refractory.
adjective
- showing a tendency towards rebellion
- (of a problem, etc) difficult to overcome; refractory
early 15c., from Latin rebellis (see rebel (adj.)) + -ous. Related: Rebelliously; rebelliousness.