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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in restless
lacking or denying rest
spent a restive night worrying about the next day's exam
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of restive
But Huntington was trying to account for the third-world basket cases of his time—poor countries whose restive masses kept their governments constantly off-balance.
—
Moisés Naím, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2025
At the time, Moscow and Washington jockeyed for influence in a swathe of restive African lands, including Mozambique, Angola, Namibia and ultimately South Africa.
—Alan Cowell, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
Three soldiers who had been guarding the railroad track were also killed in the attack that began Tuesday in restive Balochistan province, the military spokesman Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif, told local media.
—arkansasonline.com, 13 Mar. 2025
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a militant separatist group active in the restive and mineral-rich Balochistan province, claimed responsibility for the attack.
—Sophia Saifi, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restive
Moisés Naím, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2025
At the time, Moscow and Washington jockeyed for influence in a swathe of restive African lands, including Mozambique, Angola, Namibia and ultimately South Africa.
—Alan Cowell, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
Three soldiers who had been guarding the railroad track were also killed in the attack that began Tuesday in restive Balochistan province, the military spokesman Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif, told local media.
—arkansasonline.com, 13 Mar. 2025
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a militant separatist group active in the restive and mineral-rich Balochistan province, claimed responsibility for the attack.
—Sophia Saifi, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restive
Adjective
-
Lesser powers that find themselves under the dominion of a great power against their wishes can be resentful and rebellious.—
Margaret MacMillan,
The Atlantic,
30 Apr. 2025
-
In 1978, an ambitious and rebellious young woman, Marina Bulgari, decamped from her family business to branch out with her own jewelry brand.—
Roxanne Robinson,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
At one point, the crowd in Los Angeles was growing restless, Ms. Reese said, with people pushing one another to reach the front.—
Alisha Haridasani Gupta,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2025
-
Last weekend, the sun was particularly restless, unleashing eight M-class solar flares between Friday and Monday.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Plutarch, future Head Gamemaker of the 75th Hunger Games and commander of the rebel forces, is a young Capitol cameraman in this timeline who is tasked with documenting the tributes of District 12.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
25 Apr. 2025
-
The civil war in Sudan, between the government’s SAF and the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has just passed its grisly second anniversary.—
Paul Tilsley,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Hegseth, a veteran and former Fox News host, was defiant in remarks to reporters earlier Monday.—
Brett Samuels,
The Hill,
21 Apr. 2025
-
But when asked about the lack of norms and decorum in the current political climate and whether Democrats need to play on the same level, Himes was defiant.—
Lisa Hagen,
Hartford Courant,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Why Communication Training Often Fails To Stick Some people are very stubborn and stick to their communication style, even when confronted.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
-
The most glaring of those misses came against Arsenal in October, with Bournemouth trying to break down a stubborn defence following William Saliba’s dismissal.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Restive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restive. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share