YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME
Contumacious
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UNDERSTAND THE WORD
Meaning in plain English
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Pronunciation
Contumacious/ˌkɒntjuˈmeɪʃəs/
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An authority gives an order
A stubborn refusal to obey
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Examples in context
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- The contumacious witness refused to answer the judge’s questions.
- Her contumacious behavior at school often landed her in detention.
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Quick word quiz
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Complete the example using the word from this lesson.
The ________ witness refused to answer the judge’s questions.
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Contumacious — Stubbornly or willfully disobedient to authority.
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Stubbornly or willfully disobedient to authority.
Compare: The contumacious witness refused to answer the judge’s questions.
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Contumacious implies defiance
Contumacious is a formal, strongly critical adjective for stubborn disobedience, especially toward authority. It is more specific than disagreeing. Someone can ask questions, object politely or misunderstand instructions without being contumacious. Describe the actual refusal when explaining why the word fits.
In context: In the novel, the contumacious officer repeatedly refuses the captain’s lawful orders.
Try it: A student politely asks why a rule exists. Does that alone make the student contumacious?
Check the explanation
No. Asking for a reason is not the same as persistently refusing to obey. The context must establish defiance.
Dictionary reference: Merriam-Webster: Contumacious.
Word origin
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