Synonyms of restive

restive

adjective

ˈre-stiv 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rebellious
• rebel
• defiant
• stubborn
• unruly
• willful
• recalcitrant
• obstreperous
• ungovernable
• contrary
• wayward
• intractable
• rigid
• disobedient
• mischievous
• dogged
• balky
• contumacious
• refractory
• insubordinate
• naughty
• dissident
• adamant
• wild
• insurgent
• unrelenting
• froward
• recusant
• untoward
• uncontrollable
• mutinous
• uncooperative
• resistant
• incompliant
• fractious
• rude
• obstinate
• bad
• peevish
• obdurate
• implacable
• headstrong
• opinionated
• unmanageable
• negativistic
• uncompromising
• noncooperative
• unbending
• monkeying
• mulish
• immovable
• pertinacious
• unyielding
• inflexible
• undisciplined
• disorderly
• hardheaded
• adamantine
• insolent
• ornery
• wrongheaded
• perverse
• impudent
• pigheaded
• self-willed
• errant
• uncouth
• disrespectful
• ungracious
• inconsiderate
• nonconformist
• uncivil
• unmannerly
• discourteous
• impertinent
• misbehaving
• impolite
• ill-natured
• ill-mannered
• monkeyish
• ill-bred

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• docile
• obedient
• submissive
• tractable
• cooperative
• amiable
• compliant
• amenable
• acquiescent
• agreeable
• conformable
• deferential
• biddable
• yielding
• behaved
• disciplined
• obliging
• respectful
• polite
• well-bred
• servile
• ruly
• courteous
• obsequious
• orderly
• subservient
• slavish
• proper
• decorous
• manageable
• controllable
• mannerly
• trainable
• governable
• kowtowing

2

as in restless

lacking or denying rest

spent a restive night worrying about the next day's exam

Synonyms & Similar Words

• restless
• uneasy
• troubled
• unquiet
• unrestful
• anxious
• unsettled
• agitated
• disturbed
• perturbed
• distressed
• fidgety
• tense
• upset
• nervous
• worried
• uptight
• jittery
• jumpy
• edgy
• nervy
• dithery
• het up
• aflutter
• hung up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• quiet
• calm
• peaceful
• easy
• restful
• tranquil
• relaxing

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective restive contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of restive are balky, contrary, perverse, and wayward. While all these words mean "inclined to resist authority or control," restive suggests unwillingness or inability to submit to discipline or follow orders.

tired soldiers growing restive

When would balky be a good substitute for restive?

The synonyms balky and restive are sometimes interchangeable, but balky suggests a refusing to proceed in a desired direction or course of action.

a balky witness

When can contrary be used instead of restive?

Although the words contrary and restive have much in common, contrary implies a temperamental unwillingness to accept orders or advice.

a contrary child

When is perverse a more appropriate choice than restive?

In some situations, the words perverse and restive are roughly equivalent. However, perverse may imply wrongheaded, determined, or cranky opposition to what is reasonable or normal.

a perverse, intractable critic

When could wayward be used to replace restive?

While the synonyms wayward and restive are close in meaning, wayward suggests strong-willed capriciousness and irregularity in behavior.

a school for wayward youths

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of restive

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

Pakistan's military, in a statement, said 26 militants, including at least one Afghan, were killed in four separate operations in North Waziristan, Lakki Marwat, Bannu and Mir Ali districts in restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in recent days, near the Afghan border. —ABC News, 25 Feb. 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

These elevated plants can be styled year-round with restive ribbons, colorful stones, or subtle seasonal accents to match your porch vibe. —Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Jan. 2026

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