Contumacy and Recalcitrance

Contumacy

Contumacy noun - Refusal to obey.
Usage example: a rogue archbishop who was excommunicated on grounds of contumacy

Recalcitrance is a synonym for contumacy in defiance topic. In some cases you can use "Recalcitrance" instead a noun "Contumacy", when it comes to topics like obstinacy, rebellion, resist. popular alternative

Nearby Word: contumacious

Recalcitrance

Recalcitrance noun - Refusal to obey.
Usage example: punished her recalcitrance by taking away her driving privileges

Contumacy is a synonym for recalcitrance in defiance topic. You can use "Contumacy" instead a noun "Recalcitrance", if it concerns topics such as rebellion, resist, obstinacy. popular alternative

Nearby Word: recalcitrant
Cite this Source
Recalcitrance and Contumacy. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 02, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/contumacy/recalcitrance
Contumacy & Recalcitrance. N.p., 2016. Web. 02 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/contumacy/recalcitrance>.
Recalcitrance or Contumacy. 2016. Accessed August 02, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/contumacy/recalcitrance.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "contumacy" and "recalcitrance" have occurred on timeline