as in rebellion
refusal to obey
punished her recalcitrance by taking away her driving privileges
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Recent Examples of recalcitrance
A certain recalcitrance has always been part of what makes Rosalía so compelling.
—
Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025
Moreover, Trump’s recalcitrance regarding support for military action over Taiwan is broadly shared by its allies.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
His Israel-Gaza peace plan was blessed by several Arab states and partially by Hamas, the government shutdown is clearly the Democrat’s fault and he’s apparently given up on Ukraine peace because of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recalcitrance.
—Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2025
In an ideal world, Putin’s recalcitrance to end his folly will at least finally convince Trump that there is not and was never going to be a quick and easy solution that he could be seen to personally mediate in his apparent quest to get a Nobel peace prize.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recalcitrance
Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025
Moreover, Trump’s recalcitrance regarding support for military action over Taiwan is broadly shared by its allies.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
His Israel-Gaza peace plan was blessed by several Arab states and partially by Hamas, the government shutdown is clearly the Democrat’s fault and he’s apparently given up on Ukraine peace because of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recalcitrance.
—Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2025
In an ideal world, Putin’s recalcitrance to end his folly will at least finally convince Trump that there is not and was never going to be a quick and easy solution that he could be seen to personally mediate in his apparent quest to get a Nobel peace prize.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recalcitrance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recalcitrance
Noun
-
And last week, former interior minister Lee Sang-min was sentenced to seven years in prison for participating in a rebellion.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
South Korea’s Justice Ministry bans Yoon from traveling overseas as police, prosecutors and an anti-corruption agency expand competing investigations into allegations of rebellion and other charges.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In contemporary terms, joy is a psychological and neurobiological act of defiance.—
Rabbi Bruce D. Forman,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The American founding was, at its core, an act of defiance against unchecked power.—
Agustina Vergara Cid,
Oc Register,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Though the Durutti Column had been a disaster, Wilson was fascinated by the guitarist, who admired punk’s willfulness even though his own musical taste tended toward jazz, blues, and the classical tradition.—
Brad Shoup,
Pitchfork,
24 Jan. 2026
-
The orphan’s predicament is as much a matter of willfulness as of survival—inseparable, as in the works of Charles Dickens, from a dream of being somehow rescued by the idea of an adult world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The natural obstinacy and rebelliousness of Israa’s teenage years are hyperaccelerated by culture clashes with both her family and the other kids around her.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
24 Jan. 2026
-
This transit stokes your sense of independence and even rebelliousness, inspiring you to strike out against convention and innovate more than ever.—
Maressa Brown,
InStyle,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
However, walking out of class demonstrates disrespect to the teachers who care for their well-being and support these students on a daily basis.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
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The stakes may differ, but the disrespect for local authority remains the same.—
Joshua Simmons,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
As litigation commenced and DHS officials were called to testify, judges became frustrated at the rampant false testimony and disobedience of the government.—
Clarence Page,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Feb. 2026
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The passenger was arrested, and now faces charges of crime of resistance and disobedience.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Recalcitrance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recalcitrance. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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