intractable

adjective

in·​trac·​ta·​ble (ˌ)in-ˈtrak-tə-bəl 

1

: not easily governed, managed, or directed

intractable problems

2

: not easily relieved or cured

intractable pain

3

: not easily manipulated or shaped

intractable metal

intractability

(ˌ)in-ˌtrak-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

intractably

(ˌ)in-ˈtrak-tə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• balky
• contrary
• contumacious
• defiant
• disobedient
• froward
• incompliant
• insubordinate
• obstreperous
• rebel
• rebellious
• recalcitrant
• recusant
• refractory
• restive
• ungovernable
• unruly
• untoward
• wayward
• willful
• wilful

Choose the Right Synonym for intractable

unruly, ungovernable, intractable, refractory, recalcitrant, willful, headstrong mean not submissive to government or control.

unruly implies lack of discipline or incapacity for discipline and often connotes waywardness or turbulence of behavior.

unruly children

ungovernable implies either an escape from control or guidance or a state of being unsubdued and incapable of controlling oneself or being controlled by others.

ungovernable rage

intractable suggests stubborn resistance to guidance or control.

intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste dump

refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold.

special schools for refractory children

recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority.

acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace

willful implies an obstinate determination to have one's own way.

a willful disregard for the rights of others

headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion.

a headstrong young cavalry officer

Examples of intractable in a Sentence

Contrary to the idea of black holes sucking everything, even light, into inconceivable nothingness, Hawking proposed that there was one thing that could escape a black hole's intractable grip: thermal radiation … —Bruno Maddox, Discover, September 2006

Sepsis, which is what happens to the body when an infection goes bad, is one of mankind's oldest and most intractable foes. —Leon Jaroff, Time, 24 July 2000

But now anesthesiologists have begun turning to an herb to help treat a deadly and often intractable lung condition that affects hundreds of thousands of people a year. —Eric Nagourney, New York Times, 26 Oct. 1999

a patient experiencing intractable pain

an intractable child who deliberately does the opposite of whatever he is told

Recent Examples on the Web

Its failure reveals why the conflict remains so intractable. —Hiba Yazbek, New York Times, 29 Nov. 2023

An interesting aspect of the new startups is that many are looking to use artificial intelligence to solve some of the industry’s vexing and most intractable problems. —Sachin H. Jain, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023

The electoral win by Geert Wilders, the Dutch far-right leader who has championed draconian policies against immigration and Islam, reflects how intractable the issue of migration remains in Europe—and in much of the West. —Gareth Vipers, WSJ, 23 Nov. 2023

In the meantime, the vociferous opposition has underscored a harsh reality: Even the most popular acts of government threaten to become mired in intractable legal fights, potentially delaying or denying financial relief to Americans. —Tony Romm, Washington Post, 19 Nov. 2023

The strait, which separates Taiwan from mainland China, is the site of one of the world’s more intractable disputes. —Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2023

However, one candidate, San Diego police officer Larry Turner, has focused on Gloria’s approach to the city’s seemingly intractable homelessness problem. —Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Nov. 2023

The lack of affordable housing is a top issue for voters, along with seemingly intractable homelessness. —Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2023

Some of them worry that an invasion might suck the Israeli Army into an intractable urban battle inside Gaza. —Ronen Bergman, New York Times, 27 Oct. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Latin intractabilis, from in- + tractabilis tractable

First Known Use

1531, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

intractable

adjective

in·​trac·​ta·​ble (ˈ)in-ˈtrak-tə-bəl 

1

: not easily managed or controlled

an intractable child

2

: not easily relieved or cured

intractable pain

intractability

(ˌ)in-ˌtrak-tə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

intractably

(ˈ)in-ˈtrak-tə-blē 

adverb

Medical Definition

intractable

adjective

in·​trac·​ta·​ble (ˈ)in-ˈtrak-tə-bəl 

1

: not easily managed or controlled (as by antibiotics or psychotherapy)

an intractable child

activity against many intractable Proteus and Pseudomonas species of bacteria

—Annual Report Pfizer

2

: not easily relieved or cured

intractable pain

intractable bleeding in duodenal ulcer

—Journal of the American Medical Association

intractability

(ˌ)in-ˌtrak-tə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

plural intractabilities