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
  • The inspiration behind this rock-and-roll icon, however, lies in Hindu spiritual symbolism, whose meanings contrast sharply with the rebellious image the logo projects.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 July 2026
  • Judy Davis stars as Sybylla, a rebellious young woman in 19th century Australia who longs to be a writer, but her traditionalist parents refuse to indulge those dreams, sending her to board with her wealthy grandmother instead.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026
Definition of rebellious
Adjective
  • Under the Obama administration, an international coalition targeting the Libyan regime of Moammar Qadafi during the country’s 2011 civil war struck his fleeing convoy, leading to his capture and killing by rebel fighters.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • Assad was forced to flee the country after government forces collapsed in the face of a surprise offensive launched by a coalition of rebel groups, led by Sharaa's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 7 July 2026
Definition of rebel
Adjective
  • Juano Hernandez, one of the finest of all American actors, plays a proudly defiant Black man falsely accused of murder.
    — Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 15 July 2026
  • Her face displays the trademark unibrow and faint mustache — a gender-bending look that, scholars say, reflects Kahlo’s defiant repudiation of the classic female aesthetic.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 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
  • His crippling, his stubborn arrogance and refusal to be humbled, has somehow humanized the spoiled brat king.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • However, Sokolowski says oxygen bleach is a suitable option for lifting stubborn stains.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 19 July 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 23 Jul. 2026.

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