as in rebellion
refusal to obey
punished her recalcitrance by taking away her driving privileges
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Recent Examples of recalcitrance
The United States has become increasingly irritated with the glacial pace of progress towards implementing a ceasefire agreement, more overtly criticizing Russia's recalcitrance to ink a deal despite pursuing a rapprochement with the Kremlin.
—
Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025
Resistance to state laws Littleton isn’t just seeing recalcitrance on changes to its land-use code from its residents.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2025
On that front, at least, Putin’s recalcitrance may turn out to be an asset.
—Simon Shuster, TIME, 24 Mar. 2025
But those prior instances of presidential recalcitrance — just two, spread out over 248 years — were narrow.
—Mattathias Schwartz, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recalcitrance
Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025
Resistance to state laws Littleton isn’t just seeing recalcitrance on changes to its land-use code from its residents.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2025
On that front, at least, Putin’s recalcitrance may turn out to be an asset.
—Simon Shuster, TIME, 24 Mar. 2025
But those prior instances of presidential recalcitrance — just two, spread out over 248 years — were narrow.
—Mattathias Schwartz, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recalcitrance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recalcitrance
Noun
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When the series begins, in 1868, Ireland is under British rule — but a group known as the Fenians leads a rebellion for independence.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
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These motifs carry layered meanings, shifting from innocence to rebellion.—
Caterina De Biasio,
Vogue,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Minnesota passed on Rodgers at the time, almost to signal a vote of defiance or confidence in McCarthy.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
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In recent months, some council members have pushed, in open defiance, for outside groups to take another look, on the city’s behalf, at the economics of moving out of the Civic Center complex.—
Jennifer Van Grove,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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While this change reduces the explicit admission of willfulness, a narrative is still required.—
Virginia La Torre Jeker,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The performance goes from fiery to ineffectual as DiCaprio’s character, Bob, loses his youthful rebelliousness in a haze of pot and resignation.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
26 Sep. 2025
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The rebelliousness can be witnessed in everything from its ’70s-in-California style to the very naming conventions Mother chooses for its viral products — adored by A-listers like Gigi Hadid, Chrissy Teigen, Millie Bobby Brown, and more.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Footwear News,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
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That disrespect from the oddsmakers likely didn't sit right with Browns star receiver Jerry Jeudy, which presumably prompted some offensive behavior from the 26-year-old wideout to the Ravens fans at M&T Bank Stadium who greeted him with a chorus of boos last Sunday.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
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This was an audience of almost 500 students and zero disrespect.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Moja Rowa Colorful disobedience is how Moja Rowa cofounders Yelena Mojarova and Edward Benedikt Sittler characterize their creative spirit and brand ethos.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
23 Sep. 2025
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The ladies move closer to God through acts of disobedience, debauchery, and disgrace; by visiting seedy places and commingling with the disreputable.—
Nicole Flattery,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Recalcitrance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recalcitrance. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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