Contrary and Contumacious

Contrary

Contrary adjective - Given to resisting authority or another's control.
Usage example: the contrary soldier is facing a court-martial for insubordination

Contumacious is a synonym for contrary in obstinate topic. In some cases you can use "Contumacious" instead an adjective "Contrary", when it comes to topics like unyielding, disobedient, froward, antagonistic. archaic substitute

Contumacious

Contumacious adjective - Given to resisting authority or another's control.
Usage example: the judge threatened to charge the contumacious witness with contempt of court

Contrary is a synonym for contumacious in unyielding topic. You can use "Contrary" instead an adjective "Contumacious", if it concerns topics such as disobedient, headstrong.

Nearby Word: contumacy
Cite this Source
Contumacious and Contrary. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 15, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/contrary/contumacious
Contrary & Contumacious. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/contrary/contumacious>.
Contumacious or Contrary. 2016. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/contrary/contumacious.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "contrary" and "contumacious" have occurred on timeline