disobedient
Refusing to comply
Disobedient describes someone who refuses to follow rules or obey authority: a disobedient child, disobedient to his commanding officer.
The word implies willful defiance rather than mere failure—you can't be disobedient by accident.
It applies mostly to children, soldiers, pets, and others expected to submit to direction.
Failing to conform
- rebelliousResisting authority or control
- recalcitrantStubbornly resistant to control
- obstinateFirmly refusing to yield
- stubbornRefusing to change course
unyielding · intransigent · headstrong · refractory · contumacious · oppositional · uncooperative · contrary
Disposed to revolt
- undisciplinedLacking self-control or order
- disorderlyNot arranged neatly
- unmanageableImpossible to control
- uncontrollableImpossible to restrain
defiant · obstreperous · intractable · ungovernable · unruly · seditious · insurgent · renegade
Mildly disobedient
- impishPlayfully mischievous in manner
- roguishMischievously charming
- playfulInclined toward fun
- cheekyPlayfully disrespectful
puckish · elfin · prankish · rascally · scamp · troublesome · unruly · misbehaving
Rejects prevailing social standards
- dissidentOpposer of established systems
- insurgentOne who revolts
- revolutionarySeeking fundamental systemic change
- iconoclastAttacker of cherished beliefs
maverick · renegade · protester · subversive · mutineer · resister · insurrectionist · defector
Noisily disorderly
- boisterousNoisily cheerful and energetic
- undisciplinedLacking self-control or order
- wildNot domesticated or controlled
- turbulentViolently agitated or disturbed
disorderly · chaotic · rambunctious · raucous · riotous · unbridled · unrestrained · fractious
noncompliant
Failing to conform
- rebelliousResisting authority or control
- recalcitrantStubbornly resistant to control
- obstinateFirmly refusing to yield
stubborn · unyielding · intransigent · headstrong · refractory · contumacious · oppositional · uncooperative · contrary · perverse
mutinous
Disposed to revolt
- undisciplinedLacking self-control or order
- disorderlyNot arranged neatly
- unmanageableImpossible to control
uncontrollable · defiant · obstreperous · intractable · ungovernable · unruly · seditious · insurgent · renegade · treasonous
naughty
Mildly disobedient
cheeky · puckish · elfin · prankish · rascally · scamp · troublesome · unruly · misbehaving · bratty
nonconformist
Rejects prevailing social standards
- dissidentOpposer of established systems
- insurgentOne who revolts
- revolutionarySeeking fundamental systemic change
iconoclast · maverick · renegade · protester · subversive · mutineer · resister · insurrectionist · defector · radical
rowdy
Noisily disorderly
- boisterousNoisily cheerful and energetic
- undisciplinedLacking self-control or order
- wildNot domesticated or controlled
turbulent · disorderly · chaotic · rambunctious · raucous · riotous · unbridled · unrestrained · fractious · out-of-control
disobedientobedient
Following commands willingly
compliant · submissive · docile · biddable · acquiescent
disobedienttractable
Easily managed or controlled
manageable · governable · trainable · controllable · cooperative
disobedientwell-behaved
Conducting oneself properly
disciplined · mannerly · orderly · proper · well-bred
- civil disobediencePeaceful refusal to obey