1
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
the restive horse threw its head and refused to move when the rider urged it forward
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in restless
lacking or denying rest
spent a restive night worrying about the next day's exam
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of restive
Extending Trump’s tax cuts and fulfilling his campaign trail promises are a top priority for Republican lawmakers, who are facing pressure to deliver economic relief to restive voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
—
Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 20 May 2025
Bodies, when Shuang describes them, are ill-proportioned and restive.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
Pakistan denied involvement and accused India of trying to deflect attention from security lapses in the restive region.
—Salman Masood, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
Tuesday's attack was the worst assault in years targeting civilians in the restive region that has seen an anti-India rebellion for more than three decades.
—Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restive
Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 20 May 2025
Bodies, when Shuang describes them, are ill-proportioned and restive.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
Pakistan denied involvement and accused India of trying to deflect attention from security lapses in the restive region.
—Salman Masood, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
Tuesday's attack was the worst assault in years targeting civilians in the restive region that has seen an anti-India rebellion for more than three decades.
—Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restive
Adjective
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Inspired by 1953’s The Wild One starring Marlon Brando, the song and video captures the rebellious spirit of the cult classic, with scenes of a motorcycle being driven on an open road and birds in flight.—
Althea Legaspi,
Rolling Stone,
4 June 2025
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Many historians estimate that at least 15 to 20 percent of the population remained loyal to the crown, some even taking up arms against their rebellious neighbors and fighting alongside the British.—
Greg Daugherty,
Smithsonian Magazine,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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There is a kind of sadness that comes from living in a restless state of FOMO — or fear of missing out, as the acronym goes.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
25 May 2025
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As congressional Democrats have struggled to combat Trump this year, attorneys general have represented a tangible — and effective — counter to the president for restless Democratic voters.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
18 May 2025
Adjective
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Then, the detainees were executed, dressed in rebel uniforms, and reported as combat kills with many buried in anonymous graves in cemeteries.—
John Otis,
NPR,
27 May 2025
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Here romantic passion combines with revolution in a historical fiction sure to light up readers’ rebel hearts.—
Lorraine Berry,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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Bowser’s shifting response on immigration matters is one of a number of ways the mayor, a leading figure in the Democratic resistance during Trump’s first term, is now striking a less defiant tone.—
Catherine E. Shoichet,
CNN Money,
28 May 2025
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Moxley took out Nightingale to massive heat, and Omega hit a snap-dragon suplex on a defiant Marina Shafir.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
Adjective
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Still, the stubborn media silence continued unabated.—
Nate Rogers,
Vulture,
22 May 2025
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United needed to play perfect football to unlock a stubborn defence, but struggled to push past competency.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Restive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restive. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
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