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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

Examples 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 To force the restive plasma into submission, the geometrically simple tokamaks need additional features that increase their complexity and cost. IEEE Spectrum, 28 Oct. 2024 Moreover, there are fears that Sunni extremist groups in Iran’s restive southern regions, such as those populated by Arab and Baluchi groups, may be emboldened by the victory of like-minded groups in Syria, risking further unrest at a time when the government is increasingly vulnerable. Hamidreza Azizi, Foreign Affairs, 23 Dec. 2024 That restive beast on the edge of the Tiergarten would presumably expect nothing else. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024 During that period, Ald. Edward Burke would introduce an alternative budget each fall — a move the restive City Council could theoretically try again this year, but has so far not undertaken. Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for restive 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restive
Adjective
  • The proposals infuriated members of the Freedom Caucus, many of whom had engaged in those kind of rebellious actions over the past two years.
    Emily Brooks, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025
  • With a rebellious edge, the cocktail is yet another offering in the non-to-low alcohol space from an established brand that is changing how consumers look at a rapidly expanding space.
    Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • His output is alluded to in the film’s atmospheric credit sequence, in which a restless, scratchy charcoal pencil attacks white paper, the claustrophobia of which is intensified by the director’s intimate use of Academy ratio.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 25 Jan. 2025
  • That iconic scene—which took place on the corner of 52nd and Lex—is from Billy Wilder’s 1955 comedy The Seven Year Itch, about a restless husband (Tom Ewell) ensorcelled by a neighboring blond (Monroe, of course).
    Vogue, Vogue, 25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The brand thrives on a rebel heart, embracing individuality, audacity, and the freedom to exist beyond conventional boundaries.
    Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Lower shows how the same drive that manifests as ruthlessness in outie Helena becomes rebel fierceness in innie Helly.
    James Poniewozik, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Weakened, isolated but defiant: Hamas faces a crossroads with the cease-fire.
    Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Yoon has remained defiant in the face of the investigations and an impeachment trial underway by one of the country’s highest courts.
    Gawon Bae, CNN, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The stubborn machine has won, and politicians are, for the most part, just fodder, which means that every politician who has to stand in front of a camera after a tragedy turns into another battle site in an endless culture war.
    Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Coaches will tell you of a character who could be grumpy or stubborn, but also of someone who needed faith shown in him.
    The Athletic UK Staff, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025

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Thesaurus Entries Near restive

Cite this Entry

“Restive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restive. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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