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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

In several instances these rituals were utilized during slave rebellions; the New York slave rebellion of 1712 reportedly began with a pact sealed in blood and powder, a practice with African religious parallels.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
Freedom matters to you more than keeping up with traditions, which is where your financial savviness comes into play, not to mention rebellion.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of rebellion

Noun

Instead of crumbling in defeat, Rivera roared back with defiance.

— Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
No wonder the new York head coach cut quite the forlorn figure on the touchline during the closing exchanges, even allowing for his post-match words of defiance for the boo boys.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of defiance

Noun

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
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

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 public weighted plain disrespect – how people are treated, apart from the economics – significantly more heavily than the philosophers did.

— ESMT Berlin, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
In the millions upon millions of words written and said about this World Cup, who has shown disrespect to players from Haiti, or any other smaller nation?

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 27 July 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

Another child said he was forced to carry out artillery strikes and beaten for disobedience.

— Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
But many Catholics, including conservative and traditional ones, are opposed to the consecrations, viewing them as an act of severe disobedience to the pope that hurts the church.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 July 2026

Definition of disobedience

Browse Nearby Words

rebuys

recalcitrance

recalcitrancy

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Recalcitrance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recalcitrance. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of recalcitrance

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on recalcitrance

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

zeugma

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes