CONTUMACY Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

contumacy

noun

kən-ˈtü-mə-sē

Definition of contumacy

as in rebellion

refusal to obey a rogue archbishop who was excommunicated on grounds of contumacy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contumacy

Noun

At this point, my rebellion had evolved to become more than just a quiet resistance.

— Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 13 Oct. 2026
In such trivial moments of rebellion, the seeds of resistance are sown.

— Alex Ross, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of rebellion

Noun

These women — cradle Catholics and converts, former nuns, teachers, hospice chaplains, counselors, spouses, mothers, grandmothers — say their defiance is the fulfillment of a vocation, no different than the call answered by their male counterparts.

— Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Taking the Long Way, more than anger or defiance, zeroes in on the sting of being ousted from your own home.

— Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of defiance

Noun

And from that boredom, a different kind of will, the willfulness that accompanies a need to destroy that happiness.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
From grandmother to grandchild, these three sets of two sisters were powerful characters possessed with passion, willfulness, bravery, and devotion to each other.

— Griffin Dunne, Vanity Fair, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of willfulness

Noun

After federal prosecutors and defense attorneys had presented all their evidence Tuesday, Morrow’s attorneys asked Orso to dismiss the three petty charges accusing her of obstruction, disruption and disobedience.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2026
Another child said he was forced to carry out artillery strikes and beaten for disobedience.

— Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of disobedience

Noun

The stigma helped imprint a stamp of rebelliousness on the brand which lives on today, says Carpenter, even as Burton has become a fixture on resort slopes across the world and within the annals of Olympian history.

— Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Whether writing five decades ago or today, the genre’s most insightful commentators have always observed how punk fuses rebelliousness with commodification, capitalism with resistance.

— Kyle Devine, Longreads, 14 July 2026

Definition of rebelliousness

Noun

Nathan is offended and starts going on his usual rant about not tolerating disrespect toward his family.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026
What readers are saying The comments express frustration and disappointment over the littering and disrespect shown by visitors to national parks, particularly Yellowstone.

— Andrea Sachs, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of disrespect

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.

Browse Nearby Words

contumacious

contumacy

contumelious

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“Contumacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contumacy. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of contumacy

noun

Example Sentences

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