1. stubbornly disobedient to authority; rebelliously defiant
Usage: formal; often used in legal contexts

Examples

• The contumacious student refused to follow the school’s dress code despite repeated warnings.
• His contumacious behavior in court led to a contempt charge.
• The contumacious witness would not answer the prosecutor’s questions.
• She was known for her contumacious attitude toward any form of authority.
• The judge found the defendant’s contumacious conduct unacceptable.
• Despite multiple citations, the contumacious driver continued to speed through the neighborhood.