refractory

¹re·frac·to·ry

adj \ri-ˈfrak-t(ə-)rē\

Definition of REFRACTORY

1

: resisting control or authority : stubborn, unmanageable

2

a : resistant to treatment or cure <a refractory lesion> b : unresponsive to stimulus c : immune, insusceptible <after recovery they were refractory to infection>

3

: difficult to fuse, corrode, or draw out; especially : capable of enduring high temperature

— re·frac·to·ri·ly \-t(ə-)rə-lē; ˌrē-ˌfrak-ˈtȯr-ə-lē, ri-\ adverb

— re·frac·to·ri·ness \ri-ˈfrak-t(ə-)rē-nəs\ noun

Examples of REFRACTORY

1. <refractory players will be ejected from the game>
2. <believing that rules are only for other people, he's been refractory virtually his entire life>

Origin of REFRACTORY

alteration of refractary, from Latin refractarius, irregular from refragari to oppose, from re- + -fragari (as in suffragari to support with one's vote)

First Known Use: 1606

Related to REFRACTORY

Synonyms: balky, contrary, contumacious, defiant, froward, incompliant, insubordinate, intractable, obstreperous, rebel, rebellious, recalcitrant, recusant, disobedient, restive, ungovernable, unruly, untoward, wayward, willful (or wilful)

Antonyms: amenable, biddable, compliant, conformable, docile, obedient, ruly, submissive, tractable

Related Words: noncooperative, uncooperative; insurgent, mutinous; adamant, adamantine, dogged, hardheaded, headstrong, immovable, implacable, inflexible, mulish, negativistic, obdurate, obstinate, opinionated, peevish, pertinacious, pigheaded, rigid, self-willed, stubborn, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unyielding; fractious, restive, uncontrollable, unmanageable, wild; perverse, resistant, wrongheaded; bad, disorderly, errant, misbehaving, mischievous, monkeying, monkeyish, naughty; undisciplined; dissident, nonconformist; discourteous, disrespectful, ill-bred, ill-mannered, ill-natured, impertinent, impolite, impudent, inconsiderate, insolent, ornery, rude, uncivil, uncouth, ungracious, unmannerly

Near Antonyms: acquiescent, agreeable, amiable, cooperative, deferential, obliging; yielding; behaved, disciplined, well-bred; courteous, polite, respectful; kowtowing, obsequious, servile, slavish, subservient; decorous, mannerly, orderly, proper; controllable, governable, manageable, trainable

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See Synonym Discussion at unruly