RECALCITRANCE Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

recalcitrance

noun

ri-ˈkal-sə-trən(t)s

Definition of recalcitrance

as in rebellion

refusal to obey punished her recalcitrance by taking away her driving privileges

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of recalcitrance The singer for the latter band, Liam Gallagher, disavowed the Rock Hall when his band was previously twice nominated, but the nominating committee did not hold his recalcitrance against him this year. — Chris Willman, Variety, 25 Feb. 2026 But less than a month after proposing the inquiry, PURA released a decision abruptly canceling it and blaming the cancellation on utility recalcitrance. — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 1 Feb. 2026 Holidays are far easier to add than to remove, and the resulting inflexibility, combined with the union’s recalcitrance, has made compliance with state law more difficult. — John Ketcham, Washington Post, 28 Jan. 2026 The city faces large fines and legal fees, and might even lose its zoning power to a receiver because of its recalcitrance. — The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 19 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for recalcitrance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for recalcitrance

Noun

It’s also brilliantly written as a futile, pathetic rebellion by men with zero agency or purpose in their own lives.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026
In Fernández’s version, Antíkona’s insubordination inspires a peoples’ rebellion and brings an end to Klion’s rule due to his inability to treat citizens with common decency.

— Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of rebellion

Noun

Her Easter Sunday performance at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939 in front of 75,000 spectators remains a touchstone of defiance in an age of racial violence.

— Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Her decision to so publicly criticize him was a rare instance of GOP defiance, especially in her district, which Trump carried by more than a dozen points two years ago.

— Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of defiance

Noun

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
Those leaders who ignore or flout the law aren’t merely unethical but fatally arrogant, putting their childish willfulness over the wisdom of generations.

— David Brooks, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026

Definition of willfulness

Noun

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
Marji’s rebelliousness, both admirable and terrifying for those who love her, is her salient characteristic.

— Hillary Chute, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026

Definition of rebelliousness

Noun

The board's vague message didn't point to specific administrators or specific instances of disrespect.

— Aubrey Wright, IndyStar, 11 Sep. 2026
No disrespect to the players themselves, Burns said, but Dallas showing that level of concern this close to the start of the season is noteworthy.

— Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of disrespect

Noun

Their stories live on in Sardinian lore with an almost mythical quality, the brigands admired for their intractability.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 7 May 2026
But Bass and every council member and all their successors need to be reminded that a civic sense of intractability is a dangerous thing.

— Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026

Definition of intractability

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

Browse Nearby Words

rebuys

recalcitrance

recalcitrancy

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“Recalcitrance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recalcitrance. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of recalcitrance

noun

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