rebellious sister

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rebellious sister" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sister who is defiant or resistant to authority, often in a familial context. Example: "Growing up, my rebellious sister always challenged our parents' rules and expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

If Richard the Lion-Hearted and Saladin dominate the account, perhaps unavoidably, there are also vivid cameos of such lesser-known personalities as the formidable Queen Melisende of Jerusalem and her rebellious sister Alice of Antioch.

The New York Times

Into this benighted world comes the curate Fludd, a spiritual alchemist who can free anyone who will listen – but particularly the rebellious Sister Philomena – with the influence of his beneficent magic.

The Guardian - Books

Two of Mr. Gore's closest Washington friends recall that while Al Gore was the focus of his parents' fondest hopes, it was his free-spirited, rebellious sister, Nancy, who took more of their energy.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, the more outwardly assertive characters — her comically pompous husband, her rebellious sister back in Bangladesh, and a young Muslim activist with whom Nazneen has an affair — lose their bearings in their various attempts to embrace or reject their heritage.

The New Yorker

It shows Schiele working through a long and impressively varied list of female models, including his mother; a rebellious sister who sometimes posed nude for him; anonymous pregnant women in a maternity hospital; a pair of young prostitutes known as the "black-haired girls"; his redheaded lover Wally Neuzil; and his strait-laced bourgeois wife, Edith.

The New York Times - Arts

Deola's father loved classical music; Deola makes "mixed grill" collections of 1980s soul music; her rebellious sister listens to hardcore rap; and in Ikoyi, next door to Deola's mother, there's a pentecostal church from where Christian songs waft over the wall.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

With 40 rebellious sisters in tow, the pair left the convent an excommunicable act in and of itself and decamped to Tours to throw themselves on the mercy of Gregory, with Clotilda appealing to her uncle, King Guntrum, to remove Leubovera.

Vice

The plight of Rivka's rebellious younger sister, Malka (Meital Barda), is almost as desperate.

The New York Times

But before Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda there were Mouse (Ellen Wong) and Maggie (Katie Findlay, Carriee's best friends; Donna Chloe Bridgess), her nemesis; and Dorrit (Stefania Owen), her rebellious younger sister.

The New York Times - Arts

He is introduced as an articulate, somewhat anxious boy (played in the early scenes by Michael Angarano), living with his rebellious older sister (Zooey Deschanel) and their protective mother, a college professor portrayed with glowing intelligence and scary intensity by Frances McDormand.

The New York Times

Frances McDormand plays William's protective mother, a college professor; Zooey Deschanel, his rebellious older sister; Philip Seymour Hoffman, the critic Lester Bangs; Billy Crudup, Russell Hammond, the lead guitarist of the band Stillwater, to whom William is especially drawn; and Kate Hudson, Penny Lane, the ringleader of a troupe of groupies who call themselves the Band-Aids.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character, use "rebellious sister" to quickly convey both a familial connection and a tendency to defy expectations. This combination creates an immediate understanding of the character's role and personality.

Common error

Be cautious of portraying a "rebellious sister" solely through clichés like excessive drinking or disregard for others' feelings. Ensure her actions stem from genuine beliefs or circumstances rather than lazy characterization.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rebellious sister" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "rebellious" modifies the noun "sister". It serves to describe a specific characteristic of a sibling, as evidenced by Ludwig and its real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rebellious sister" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression used to describe a sibling who exhibits defiant or nonconformist traits. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability in written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears primarily in news and media contexts, where it serves to quickly characterize individuals within narratives. When using this phrase, be mindful of avoiding stereotypical portrayals and ensuring that the rebellion stems from genuine motivations. Alternatives such as "defiant sister" or "nonconformist sister" can offer nuanced perspectives, depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defiant sister

This alternative directly replaces "rebellious" with "defiant", emphasizing the act of resistance.

nonconformist sister

This alternative highlights a sister who doesn't follow societal norms or expectations.

unconventional sister

This phrase suggests a sister who deviates from traditional or expected behavior.

wayward sister

This alternative implies that the sister has strayed from the expected path.

maverick sister

This phrase emphasizes the sister's independent and unconventional nature.

dissident sister

This alternative conveys the sister's opposition to established authority or ideas.

unruly sister

This phrase suggests a sister who is difficult to control or discipline.

free-spirited sister

This alternative focuses on the sister's independent and unrestrained nature.

rogue sister

This implies the sister is acting outside normal or acceptable parameters.

iconoclastic sister

Highlights sister breaking or challenging existing norms.

FAQs

How can I use "rebellious sister" in a sentence?

You can use "rebellious sister" to describe a sibling who frequently challenges authority or societal norms. For example: "Growing up, my "rebellious sister" always questioned our parents' rules."

What are some alternatives to "rebellious sister"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "defiant sister", "nonconformist sister", or "wayward sister" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "rebellious sister"?

Yes, "rebellious sister" is grammatically correct as it combines an adjective ("rebellious") with a noun ("sister") to describe a specific type of sibling.

What connotations does "rebellious sister" carry?

The term "rebellious sister" often suggests a character who is independent, challenges social norms, and potentially causes conflict or tension within her family. The specific connotations depend on the narrative context.