Word to describe someone doing something even though told not to

I have always used contrary:

[Merriam-Webster]
2 : being not in conformity with what is usual or expected
// actions contrary to company policy
// contrary evidence
4 : temperamentally unwilling to accept control or advice

So:

She was described as contrary because she was told to not go to the party, but did it anyways.

She was called contrary since her father told her to not do any stupid dares but she didn't listen to him.

He has a tendency to be contrary—he likes to prove he can do it, despite others telling him he can't.


If it is a child, naughty, a naughty child. If it is a teenager, rebellious, so a rebel. If it is a work colleague, awkward or contrary . If it is political, dissent, so dissenter. However, I am not sure if this is what your looking for. A person who always does as requested could be said to be compliant so the opposite would be disobedient.

disobedient; adjective: refusing to do what someone in authority tells you to do:

naughty adjective When children are naughty, or their behaviour is naughty, they behave badly or do not do what they are told to do:

rebellious If someone is rebellious, they are difficult to control and do not behave in the way that is expected:

awkward adjective (NOT HELPFUL) mainly uk intentionally not helpful:

contrary adjective (NOT REASONABLE) A contrary person wants to disagree with and annoy other people:

dissent noun a strong difference of opinion on a particular subject, especially about an official suggestion or plan or a popular belief:

ALL Referenced from the Cambridge English Dictionary