contumacious

American  

[kon-too-mey-shuhs, -tyoo-] / ˌkɒn tʊˈmeɪ ʃəs, -tyʊ- /

adjective

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

   Synonyms:

   intractable, headstrong, refractory, factious, pigheaded, contrary

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contumacious British  

/ ˌkɒntjʊˈmeɪʃəs /

adjective

1. stubbornly resistant to authority; wilfully obstinate

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Other Word Forms

• contumaciously adverb
• contumaciousness noun
• contumacity noun
• noncontumacious adjective
• noncontumaciously adverb
• noncontumaciousness noun
• uncontumacious adjective
• uncontumaciously adverb
• uncontumaciousness noun

Etymology

Origin of contumacious

First recorded in 1590–1600; contumacy + -ous

Example Sentences

“Defendants began this litigation with the same opportunities for discovery and presentation of evidence as any other litigant, but they have squandered these opportunities with poor strategic decisions and contumacious, combative conduct.”

From Washington Times

Admittedly, the two chambers of Congress have rarely made use of their power to directly arrest and detain contumacious witnesses.

From Washington Post

According to the deputy chief justice, Philomena Mwilu, the court was left with no option but to annul the poll because of the “contumacious” approach of the electoral commission.

From Economist

The word that judges have used to describe Morrissey’s conduct is “contumacious,” which is a fancy synonym for being willfully disobedient.

From Washington Post

He was obliged to return to Milan on Low Sunday, April 7, as on that day expired the term of fifteen days which he had assigned to a contumacious heretic.

From Project Gutenberg