1
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
the restive horse threw its head and refused to move when the rider urged it forward
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in restless
lacking or denying rest
spent a restive night worrying about the next day's exam
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of restive
Remarks are addressed to a restive crowd.
—
Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 16 Apr. 2026
Already, Israeli strikes near Iran’s eastern frontier are fomenting instability in Pakistan’s restive province of Balochistan.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 Apr. 2026
When four of its members (Ogoni chiefs — one of whom was my mother’s brother-in-law) were brutally killed by restive Ogoni youths, the government arrested my father and eight of his colleagues.
—Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
Sarwar’s decision to call for Starmer to step down could embolden restive Labour lawmakers to do the same.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for restive
Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 16 Apr. 2026
Already, Israeli strikes near Iran’s eastern frontier are fomenting instability in Pakistan’s restive province of Balochistan.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 Apr. 2026
When four of its members (Ogoni chiefs — one of whom was my mother’s brother-in-law) were brutally killed by restive Ogoni youths, the government arrested my father and eight of his colleagues.
—Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
Sarwar’s decision to call for Starmer to step down could embolden restive Labour lawmakers to do the same.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for restive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restive
Adjective
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Your 8th House of Shared Resources shifts as the moody Moon moves there, opposing rebellious Uranus in your 2nd House of Resources.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
30 May 2026
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In a culture obsessed with self-improvement, doing something badly and privately can feel almost rebellious.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Adjective
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All the junior right-hander had to do was retire Arvada West’s Levi Lueck with the tying runs in scoring position and nobody in the restless crowd sitting at All-Star Park.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
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Based in New Orleans and Paris, Eloueini Architecture is celebrated for designing houses that fold, twist, stagger and float with a restless energy that belies the simplicity of their forms.—
Fred Albert,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Adjective
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Although the country saw a break in violence between rebel groups and the government in the 10 years since the historic agreement between guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) and the government, criminal gang activity is rising.—
Sebastian Jimenez,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
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Attacks in the region by the Allied Democratic Forces, a rebel group allied with the militant organization Islamic State, and a coalition of ethnic militias have also hindered the response.—
Justin Kabumba,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
Adjective
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After an exchange of fire earlier this week, Iran issued a defiant response accusing the US of violating the ceasefire.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
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The Avs remained defiant in defeat, sounding a little too much like Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson, clinging to flattering analytics during his team’s own conference-final sweep at the hands of the New York Knicks.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Adjective
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Grab a melamine sponge and get rid of stubborn bathtub stains in a jiffy.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
1 June 2026
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If the Avs remain stubborn and play a style that suits their stars in the regular season, MacKinnon might win another title, but will be at the end of his career with another team.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Restive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restive. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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