contumacious

adjective

ˌkän-tü-ˈmā-shəs How to pronounce contumacious (audio)
Definition of contumaciousnext
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control the judge threatened to charge the contumacious witness with contempt of court

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contumacious
  1. rebellious
  2. rebel
  3. defiant
  4. willful
  5. stubborn
Adjective
  • This shift has moved in tandem with the growing dynamic of parliamentarians becoming more rebellious and less loyal to their leadership.
    — Garret Martin, The Conversation, 31 July 2026
  • John Mellencamp's rebellious spirit drives him Along with his status as blue-collar rocker, Mellencamp is also a respected artist.
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 30 July 2026
Definition of rebellious
Adjective
  • Several officials of multiple rebel groups then came together to form the FLA.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
  • Earlier this week, the rebel group also threatened to blockade the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 24 July 2026
Definition of rebel
Adjective
  • Her music accordingly pares down the signature elements of a genre in which reckless abandon and defiant self-expression have long been central.
    — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026
  • But back at Jantar Mantar, a historic protest site in central Delhi, the mood Thursday was defiant.
    — Aakash Hassan, Christian Science Monitor, 23 July 2026
Definition of defiant
Adjective
  • While some households may have tax debts due to willful negligence, others may accrue large unpaid balances for innocent reasons and don’t have the money to repay, experts said.
    — Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 16 July 2026
  • In the case of a willful failure to comply with the law, the company can be liable for actual or statutory damages and punitive damages.
    — Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026
Definition of willful
Adjective
  • Have a stubborn stain or lingering odor somewhere in your home?
    — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Pair them with the Corn Boats so your cob doesn't roll away; the incredibly handy Corn Stripper, which removes kernels from the cob in one smooth, easy motion; and the Corn Brush, which removes stubborn corn silk easily.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of stubborn
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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controverts
contumacious
contumacy
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Cite this Entry

“Contumacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contumacious. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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