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
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Lesser powers that find themselves under the dominion of a great power against their wishes can be resentful and rebellious.—
Margaret MacMillan,
The Atlantic,
30 Apr. 2025 -
In 1978, an ambitious and rebellious young woman, Marina Bulgari, decamped from her family business to branch out with her own jewelry brand.—
Roxanne Robinson,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The president's remarks note a stark difference in recent comments he's made toward the rebel group.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 May 2025
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This week, rebel assassin Cinta Kaz (Varada Sethu) was accidentally shot by a Ghorman revolutionary during a routine attack on an Imperial transport ship.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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But beneath Pakistan’s drumbeat of defiant declarations as tensions erupt with India, a weary Pakistani public sees war as the last thing the country needs.—
Salman Masood,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
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The April data marks a setback for Beijing, as top leaders strive to maintain a defiant and confident posture amid Trump’s trade war.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Court records also show Mabry, of Oakland, has two prior felony convictions: second-degree robbery in February 2013 and evading an officer with willful disregard for public safety in June 2022.—
Harry Harris,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2025
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The second is either a massive misjudgment or another example of willful deception.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Outside of Washington, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s followers appear to be scrambling the country's stubborn red-blue divide USA TODAY Texas is looking at bills to bring back exercise.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
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The following day, however, Mercury will meet Mars in a stubborn square, triggering a clash between the need for practicality and discernment versus the desire to express oneself boldly and with pride.—
Staff Author,
People.com,
1 May 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Contumacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contumacious. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
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