contumacious

[ kon-too-mey-shuhs, -tyoo- ]

adjective

1. stubbornly perverse or rebellious; willfully and obstinately disobedient.

   Synonyms: intractable, headstrong, refractory, factious, pigheaded, contrary

contumacious

/ ˌkɒntjʊˈmeɪʃəs /

adjective

1. stubbornly resistant to authority; wilfully obstinate

Derived Forms

• ˌcontuˈmaciously, adverb
• ˌcontuˈmaciousness, noun

Other Words From

• contu·macious·ly adverb
• contu·macious·ness con·tu·mac·i·ty [kon-t, oo, -, mas, -i-tee, -ty, oo, -], noun
• noncon·tu·macious adjective
• noncon·tu·macious·ly adverb
• noncon·tu·macious·ness noun
• uncon·tu·macious adjective
• uncon·tu·macious·ly adverb
• uncon·tu·macious·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of contumacious¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; contumacy + -ous

Example Sentences

Chaussard junior was contumacious, and therefore received sentence of death.

From Project Gutenberg

The mere fact of doing so caused him to be treated as a contumacious rebel.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet I think this should be sufficient, since we can sink you in an instant if you are foolish enough to prove contumacious.

From Project Gutenberg

But still the contumacious Mexia sold his corn and exacted his price!

From Project Gutenberg

A swamp oak stump is one of the most contumacious stumps in the world.

From Project Gutenberg