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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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 reality, the big debate has been about questions such as whether military bases should be named for traitors and whether governments should host monuments to a rebellion to defend slavery.

— David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026
Songwriting happened naturally as a rebellion to learning certain chords.

— Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 20 July 2026

Definition of rebellion

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

And with no disrespect to the Signature motorhome and its 2-in-1 hybrid bathroom and swiveling front lounge, the sliding bathroom of the Habiton camper van was arguably the pièce de résistance of that multi-vehicle effort.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 July 2026
Their shunning of the Spanish coronation, however, felt uniquely unappealing, a show of disrespect to the winners of the most high-profile sporting event in the world.

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 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

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
But many Catholics not in Econe, including conservative and traditional ones, opposed the consecrations as an act of severe disobedience that hurts the church.

— Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 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 27 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of recalcitrance

noun

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