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
Adjective
-
No surprise, then, that so much of their work is fearlessly modern, whether outspoken and rebellious or confessional and erotic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026 -
But Amy Madigan, who seemed like the rebellious, out-of-the-box pick for critics groups, made it into the hypercompetitive supporting actress category.—
Lindsey Bahr,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In December 2002, the MPCI joined forces with two other rebel factions to form the New Forces of Ivory Coast (FNCI).—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Two men are targeted by the rebel army who overthrew the government of Colonel Jacobo Arbenz Guzman.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
When summoned before a congressional committee in December, Noem struck a defiant tone.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Between the river’s source, entrusted to an order of Orthodox nuns, and its southern delta, where caviar bound for the Kremlin is harvested, the author journeys through a defiant country transformed by war, sanctions, and reinvigorated patriotism.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Since when did that stop a willful kid?—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
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The spiders that scripted our nightmare benefit from this willful amnesia.—
Jennifer W. Tsai,
STAT,
18 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Experts warn that the stubborn metric has long-term implications for learning.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Wait 10 minutes before washing for milder stains or up to a week for more severe or stubborn stains.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
26 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Contumacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contumacious. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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