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
For example, teachers who are trained in basic school wellness could bring a few moments of mindfulness to a restive classroom, help an uncertain student choose an appealing form of physical activity, or participate with them in comprehensive nutrition education.
—
Dr. James S. Gordon, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
Mexican authorities on Sunday said at least five people died and three more were injured after a car exploded near a police station in the restive western state of Michoacan.
—CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025
As a result, high borrowing costs and legal tussles with restive foreign investors have left the country unable to take on debt abroad for most of the past two decades.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Dec. 2025
These political executions are a callous attempt by the authorities to frighten and silence an increasingly restive population no longer willing to accept their corrupt and oppressive rule.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restive
Dr. James S. Gordon, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
Mexican authorities on Sunday said at least five people died and three more were injured after a car exploded near a police station in the restive western state of Michoacan.
—CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025
As a result, high borrowing costs and legal tussles with restive foreign investors have left the country unable to take on debt abroad for most of the past two decades.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Dec. 2025
These political executions are a callous attempt by the authorities to frighten and silence an increasingly restive population no longer willing to accept their corrupt and oppressive rule.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restive
Adjective
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This vibe continues to be brought to you courtesy of your co-ruling planet, rebellious Uranus, moving into your fifth house of self-expression on April 25, empowering you to lean fully into your penchant for unconventionality and incorporating the element of surprise in your personal style.—
Maressa Brown,
InStyle,
9 Jan. 2026
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But very soon, that could be rebellious Venezuelan locals seeking to protect their path to democratic sovereignty and resist foreign interference.—
Anthony Dominguez,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Unlike restless Nora, Agnes is married with a son, able to view her deeply flawed dad from the vantage point of both a daughter and mother.—
Tim Grierson,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
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Many knitters describe the activity as a way to channel anxious or restless energy into something tangible.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
3 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In December 2002, the MPCI joined forces with two other rebel factions to form the New Forces of Ivory Coast (FNCI).—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
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Two men are targeted by the rebel army who overthrew the government of Colonel Jacobo Arbenz Guzman.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Abbas Maroufi’s The Body of Farhad (1998) takes a more defiant approach.—
Amir Ahmadi Arian,
The Dial,
15 Jan. 2026
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The Seton Hall crowd was loud and its press was defiant, but this time the Huskies escaped.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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These two ingredients mixed together creates a powerful mixture perfect for lifting stubborn stains off grout because of their high cleaning and brightening properties.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2026
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The vinegar cleaning method isn’t foolproof, and sometimes stubborn residue can remain on your microwave walls.—
Gemma Johnstone,
The Spruce,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Restive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restive. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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