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
Relevance
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
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
Despite American claims that the attack on Bud Dajo would pacify the restive Moros, the unrest continued.
—
Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
But the raid is also shining a spotlight on the Palestinian Authority’s ability to impose order and security in a restive area.
—Majdi Mohammed and Tia Goldenberg, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2024
On Christmas Day in 1872, the atmosphere was restive among the forty female residents of a medical institution on the outskirts of St. Louis.
—Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
The tear gas deployment followed the arrival of demonstrators who had traveled 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Pakistan's restive northwest to gather near Islamabad.
—Matthew Impelli, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for restive
Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
But the raid is also shining a spotlight on the Palestinian Authority’s ability to impose order and security in a restive area.
—Majdi Mohammed and Tia Goldenberg, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2024
On Christmas Day in 1872, the atmosphere was restive among the forty female residents of a medical institution on the outskirts of St. Louis.
—Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
The tear gas deployment followed the arrival of demonstrators who had traveled 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Pakistan's restive northwest to gather near Islamabad.
—Matthew Impelli, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for restive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restive
Adjective
-
But in 1862, Congress declared that any slave with a rebellious master who reached federal lines would be free.—
Barbara Spindel,
The Christian Science Monitor,
12 Mar. 2025
-
Mickey, tasked with keeping her rebellious sister in line, never had the opportunity to be a kid.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
But not on this recent Wednesday — because the herd is restless.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Mar. 2025
-
After a restless night while a thunderstorm raged outside, Tess and Anna wake up not as themselves, but as two 14-year-old girls, Harper and Lily.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Her character evolves throughout the series from a superficial adherent to the Capitol’s cruel system to a rebel sympathizer who comes to care deeply for Katniss and Peeta, representing the potential for change even among those benefiting from oppression. 10.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Mar. 2025
-
In January, the conflict sharply escalated, as Rwandan troops and their M23 rebel allies took control of Bukavu and Goma, the biggest city in eastern Congo.—
Jason K. Stearns,
TIME,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
After being yelled at, children often feel defiant, defensive, and disconnected from their parent.—
Daryl Austin,
Parents,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Their bleeding champion — at the time a former and future president — raises a defiant fist.—
John Scott Lewinski,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
One daughter, loving but stubborn, leaves for Vilna to study nursing.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2025
-
The true top is still stubborn, though: In 2023 women made up just over 10% of Fortune 500 CEOs, 9% of the FTSE CEOs, and 5.4% of CEOs of the S&P Global Broad Market Index.—
Kweilin Ellingrud,
TIME,
11 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Restive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restive. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share