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contumaciousstubbornly or willfully disobedient to authority

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: stubbornly or willfully disobedient to authority

Pronunciation (IPA): /kənˈtuːmeɪʃəs/

Example Sentences

  • The contumacious teenager rolled his eyes and ignored his parents' curfew.
  • The judge held the contumacious witness in contempt of court.
  • Her contumacious cat refused to come down from the tree despite hours of coaxing.

contumacious

ADJECTIVE

[/kənˈtuːmeɪʃəs/]

stubbornly or willfully disobedient to authority

The contumacious knight refuses to kneel before the king, defying every command.
💡 Concept

The contumacious knight refuses to kneel before the king, defying every command.

Contumacious and audacious, even mendacious!
🎵 Rhyme

Contumacious and audacious, even mendacious!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/kənˈtuːmeɪʃəs/
🇬🇧 UK/kənˈtjuːmeɪʃəs/

🌳Etymology

Prefixcon--
Roottum
Suffix--acious

Origin

From Latin 'contumacia' meaning 'stubborn resistance' or 'insolence.' In ancient Roman courts, this term described people who arrogantly defied a judge's orders.

Breakdown

con- (intensive prefix, meaning 'thoroughly') + tumere (to swell up, be proud) + -ous (adjective suffix meaning 'full of')

🎵Rhyme

audaciouscapaciousmendacious
audacious
capacious
mendacious

🔗Collocations

contumacious behavior
contumacious defendant
contumacious attitude
contumacious refusal
contumacious witness

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

The contumacious teenager rolled his eyes and ignored his parents' curfew.

The judge held the contumacious witness in contempt of court.

😄 Fun example

Her contumacious cat refused to come down from the tree despite hours of coaxing.

The contumacious employee was fired for repeatedly ignoring company policies.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

rebelliousdefiantobstinateinsubordinaterecalcitrant

Antonyms

obedientcompliantsubmissive

Related

contumacycontemptdefiancerebellion

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