restive

adjective

ˈre-stiv How to pronounce restive (audio)
Definition of restivenext
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

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 Those who had made it to their seats sat around in the packed stadium and gradually grew restive. — Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 13 July 2026 Iran’s new leaders are acutely aware that Iranians remain restive and expect the government to ease their economic plight. — Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 28 June 2026 However, while voters are restive and angry, this ungovernability cannot all be blamed on them. — Ian King, CNBC, 24 June 2026 Social-welfare programs had kept the working classes from becoming restive. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for restive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restive
  1. rebellious
  2. restless
  3. rebel
  4. defiant
  5. stubborn
Adjective
  • Andrew Garfield is not just a rebellious peasant in his upcoming action period drama.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Green and Perry starred alongside one another on the hit Fox series, in which Green portrayed the aspiring musician David Silver while Perry starred as the rebellious Dylan McKay, for 10 years from 1990 to 2000.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of rebellious
Adjective
  • But Timeless is the first release of unheard recordings since 2023, and fans grew restless in the interim, circulating petitions and open letters asking for more from Prince’s storied vaults.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Turner played a restless man drafted into the British Army in the years after World War II.
    — L. Sue Baugh, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of restless
Adjective
  • Efforts to bring the outbreak under control — from limited public gatherings to social distancing and airport closures — have disrupted life in the six provinces, particularly Ituri, which also has been ravaged by rebel violence.
    — Constant Same Bagalwa, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Efforts to bring the outbreak under control — from limited public gatherings to social distancing and airport closures — have disrupted life in the six affected provinces, particularly Ituri, which has been ravaged by rebel violence.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of rebel
Adjective
  • Serbia, which backed the Bosnian Serbs during the war, is formally seeking European Union entry but remains defiant over its war role.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Striking a defiant tone at a time when the future of the gallery ecosystem remains unknown, David Nolan announced a move for his namesake gallery from New York’s Upper East Side to a bigger space in Tribeca.
    — Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of defiant
Adjective
  • Speaking in Jackson Hole, Wyoming late last week, Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh highlighted his worries about stubborn inflation .
    — Darla Mercado, CFP®, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Knight set up Darby on a table and hit a springboard clothesline on the stubborn announce table.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of stubborn

Browse Nearby Words

restitutions
restive
restiveness
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Cite this Entry

“Restive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restive. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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