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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in restless
lacking or denying rest
spent a restive night worrying about the next day's exam
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of restive
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a militant separatist group active in the restive and mineral-rich Balochistan province, claimed responsibility for the attack.
—
Sophia Saifi, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025
All of this runs counter to the narrative — popular among Washington’s chattering class — that a young and restive crop of Democrats is clamoring to scrap the seniority system that’s guided the party’s committee-selection process for years.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2024
While the submarine crew grows restive and their captain lapses into a state of permanent inebriation, across three continents, politics roll on.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025
Despite American claims that the attack on Bud Dajo would pacify the restive Moros, the unrest continued.
—Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restive
Sophia Saifi, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025
All of this runs counter to the narrative — popular among Washington’s chattering class — that a young and restive crop of Democrats is clamoring to scrap the seniority system that’s guided the party’s committee-selection process for years.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2024
While the submarine crew grows restive and their captain lapses into a state of permanent inebriation, across three continents, politics roll on.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025
Despite American claims that the attack on Bud Dajo would pacify the restive Moros, the unrest continued.
—Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restive
Adjective
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And if his readership remained informed on his doings, the prince and his supporters didn’t succeed in silencing him and the rest of the rebellious faction.—
Emily Zarevich,
JSTOR Daily,
4 Apr. 2025
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Wearing cowboy boots with shorts is not only a bold stylistic choice but also a practical way to dress for warm weather without giving up the rustic and rebellious touch that the boots bring.—
René Chávez Esparza,
Glamour,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Wall Street has started to get restless as the clock keeps ticking.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
3 Apr. 2025
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Starr will get restless in a month and come running back.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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President Trump’s military and intelligence leaders inadvertently shared classified military information on a Houthi rebel attack with a magazine editor which was published online.—
Rick Pozniak,
Boston Herald,
1 Apr. 2025
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In the fresh extended footage shown, DiCaprio’s former yippie Bob is seen negotiating with a difficult underground rebel contact who knows the whereabouts of his daughter (played by Chase Infiniti).—
Nancy Tartaglione,
Deadline,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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More: China defiant, accuses Trump of 'blackmail' over 104% tariff threat: Live updates On Monday, Trump described similar negotiations underway with Japan as world leaders try to convince the U.S. president to roll back his new tariffs on all imports.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2025
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What To Know Trump has remained defiant despite mounting fears of recession and a plunging stock market.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Despite growing consternation and concern expressed by economists and CEOs, Trump administration officials have been stubborn in defending its trade policies.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2025
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Ocasio-Cortez might have a good shot at cracking that stubborn nut.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Restive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restive. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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