CONTUMACIOUS Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

contumacious

adjective

ˌkän-tü-ˈmā-shəs

Definition of contumacious

as in rebellious

given to resisting authority or another's control the judge threatened to charge the contumacious witness with contempt of court

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for contumacious

Adjective

With its choppy layers, tousled texture, and extra length at the nape, this wolf cut brought a rebellious twist to her usual regal aesthetic.

— Amanda Le, InStyle, 4 Nov. 2026
The selection also features Dutch director Sabine Lubbe Bakker’s Premier Souffle, exploring whether a rebellious outsider can find her place in the world after years of isolation from her community.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of rebellious

Adjective

De la Espriella suspended peace talks with Colombia’s remaining rebel groups after taking office in August, and launched a security strategy prioritizing military pressure.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
Since 2017, about 1,500 Russian mercenaries, known as the Africa Corps, have been sent to bolster the Central African Republic regime of President Faustin-Archange Touadéra against attacks by a coalition of rebel groups.

— Matthew Bell, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of rebel

Adjective

Unfortunately, negotiating with Uber and DoorDash takes time, money, and lawyers, and though those repercussions might show up eventually, and maybe even prove effective, e-bike cowboys are getting bolder, faster, and more defiant by the day.

— Justin Davidson, Curbed, 5 Nov. 2026
As disturbing as the ordeal was, the 89-year-old remains defiant.

— CBS News, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of defiant

Adjective

At what point does separating the art from the artist become an exercise in willful amnesia?

— Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 5 Nov. 2026
The smaller company won, with a jury determining willful infringement and a district court granting a permanent injunction preventing further sales.

— Coke Morgan Stewart, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of willful

Adjective

But Democrats face a tall task ahead, economists say, especially because the broader economic challenges that vexed voters stem from global conflicts like the Iran war and stubborn inflation.

— Mirtha Donastorg, AJC.com, 6 Nov. 2026
With corporate profits and consumer spending remaining healthy, layoffs also remain low despite stubborn inflation and recent jitters in the stock market over whether the pace of AI investment is sustainable.

— Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of stubborn

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controverts

contumacious

contumacy

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“Contumacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contumacious. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of contumacious

adjective

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