RESTIVE Synonyms: 149 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

restive

adjective

ˈre-stiv

Definition of restive next

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

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 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
Saturn, the planet of structure and discipline, adds a sense of responsibility while rebellious Uranus, the planet of innovation and change, inspires this Air sign to think outside the box and embrace individual freedom.

— Valerie Mesa, People.com, 21 Jan. 2025