contumacy

noun con·tu·ma·cy \kən-ˈtü-mə-sē, -ˈtyü-; ˈkän-tü-, -tyü-, -chə-\

Definition of CONTUMACY

: stubborn resistance to authority; specifically : willful contempt of court

Middle English contumacie, from Anglo-French, from Latin contumacia, from contumac-, contumax rebellious

First Known Use: 13th century

Synonyms: balkiness, contrariness, disobedience, defiance, frowardness, insubordination, intractability, obstreperousness, rebellion, rebelliousness, recalcitrance, refractoriness, unruliness, waywardness, willfulness

Antonyms: compliance, obedience, submission, subordinateness, subordination, tractability, tractableness

Next Word in the Dictionary: contumeliousPrevious Word in the Dictionary: contumaciousAll Words Near: contumacy

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