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

Jeffries, a cautious Brooklynite poised to become speaker, must juggle fiery progressives, restive moderates and backlash over a Jared Kushner meeting while preaching Pelosi-style discipline and teamwork. — Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

This restive edge showed up as a guiding principle on the Eagles’ full-length records, at least temporarily. — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Aug. 2026

Even as details are ironed out, the law positions this NATO member to play a stabilizing role in a restive region. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 11 Aug. 2026

However, in September 2025, Nepal’s restive Gen Z population shocked the world (and the country’s gerontocracy) by taking to the streets to demand change. — Vasuki Shastry, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

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