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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of restive
There is no Iranian Tammy Baldwin writing letters demanding answers about the internet shutdowns the regime imposes whenever its own people get restive.
—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
27 May 2026
Conflict monitors, now watching with alarm as Islamist militants capture territory and stage attacks in Mali, urge the administration to pay closer attention to the restive Sahel region and other hot spots.
—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
14 May 2026
The next national election does not have to be held until 2029, but a wipeout on Thursday could tip a restive Labour Party into revolt against its unpopular leader.
—
ABC News,
5 May 2026
By 1730hrs, the crowd grew restive.
—
James Reginato,
Vanity Fair,
28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for restive
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
27 May 2026
Conflict monitors, now watching with alarm as Islamist militants capture territory and stage attacks in Mali, urge the administration to pay closer attention to the restive Sahel region and other hot spots.
—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
14 May 2026
The next national election does not have to be held until 2029, but a wipeout on Thursday could tip a restive Labour Party into revolt against its unpopular leader.
—
ABC News,
5 May 2026
By 1730hrs, the crowd grew restive.
—
James Reginato,
Vanity Fair,
28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for restive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restive
Adjective
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To promote the new launch, the duo teamed up on a campaign captured on the streets of Paris by photographer Daniel Roché, with the aim of creating a series of images that reflects the fusion of youth culture and a cool, rebellious edge, Asics said.
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The last of the rebellious slaveholding states was finally under federal control.
Adjective
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Local legends speak of restless spirits, mysterious voices, and supernatural activity, although many claims are impossible to verify.
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James Boyard, a Haitian police officer and security expert, was abducted Thursday morning in Raimbol in the Bourdon neighborhood as the family traveled through the capital to see a doctor after a restless night caring for their sick daughter.
Adjective
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Starmer had previously vowed to stand in any formal Labour leadership race triggered by rebel lawmakers who feating a 2029 election wipeout sought to replace him.
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Many rebel groups are offshoots of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, which had been fighting to overthrow the government since the 1960s and had been the country's largest guerrilla organization.
Adjective
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To a defiant Son, however, the party hasn’t even started.
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Terri Hupfer, draped in a Pride flag and a Giants’ issued Pride T-shirt, drove 90 minutes from her Delta home to join Tuesday’s pregame gathering, which was organized online and drew more media and police than defiant (or supportive) fans.
Adjective
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Dealing with stubborn dark spots?
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But when the adults decide to cancel Christmas and the magical star fades away, a stubborn little bird named Pikkuli sets off on a winter adventure with friends to find the Starlight Reindeer and bring back the light.
Cite this Entry
“Restive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restive. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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