intractable

adjective in·trac·ta·ble \ (ˌ)in-ˈtrak-tə-bəl \

Definition of intractable

1 :not easily governed, managed, or directed

intractable problems

2 :not easily manipulated or shaped

intractable metal

3 :not easily relieved or cured

intractable pain

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intractability

play \(ˌ)in-ˌtrak-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

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intractably

play \(ˌ)in-ˈtrak-tə-blē\ adverb

See intractable defined for English-language learners

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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 of intractable from the Web

Despite the logic of Sansa’s points, Arya refuses change her mind and remains angry and intractable.

— james hibberd, PEOPLE.com, "Game of Thrones Recap: 'Beyond the Wall'," 21 Aug. 2017
People who suffer from 20 medical conditions will be able to qualify for medical marijuana - such as cancer, chronic and severe or intractable pain and Parkinson's disease.

— laura hancock, cleveland.com, "State seeks bids for real-time access medial marijuana facility cameras," 18 Aug. 2017
Little was resolved other than clarifying significant and possibly intractable differences on many points.

— kevin spear, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Orlando airport wants Melbourne airport to stop calling itself Orlando," 16 Aug. 2017
But after a few years at Mr. Cuomo’s side, Mr. Cotton is no stranger to ambitious campaigns to conquer seemingly intractable transportation muddles.

— patrick mcgeehan, New York Times, "‘Czar of Infrastructure’ Embraces Role as Pillar for Port Authority," 13 Aug. 2017
The seemingly intractable problems of Southern California — traffic and homelessness — might get better or grow worse.

— michael r. blood, The Seattle Times, "Los Angeles gets Olympics with an 11-year wait — and risks," 1 Aug. 2017
Saudi Arabia and its allies are currently locked in a seemingly intractable dispute with Qatar.

— ian bremmer, Time, "Q&A: Tunisia's Youssef Chahed on Building a Democracy That Endures," 20 July 2017
Cities and countries are written up as commodities and investment opportunities rather than real places with intractable problems that require more than a subsidy to resolve.

— the editors, The Atlantic, "Serena Williams and Okja: The Week in Pop-Culture Writing," 1 July 2017
Cities and countries are written up as commodities and investment opportunities rather than real places with intractable problems that require more than a subsidy to resolve.

— aaron gilbreath, Longreads, "Monocle: The Magazine As Boring, Lifestyle, Branding Infastructure," 1 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'intractable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of intractable

Latin intractabilis, from in- + tractabilis tractable

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First Known Use: 1531

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intractable Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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

Other Metals and Metallurgy Terms

assay, bloom, bullion, ductile, ingot, malleable, patina, plate, temper, tensile

INTRACTABLE Defined for English Language Learners

intractable

adjective

Definition of intractable for English Language Learners

: not easily managed, controlled, or solved
: not easily relieved or cured

Medical Dictionary

intractable

adjective in·trac·ta·ble \ (ˈ)in-ˈtrak-tə-bəl \

medical Definition of intractable

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

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intractability

play \(ˌ)in-ˌtrak-tə-ˈbil-ət-ē\ noun plural intractabilities

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INTRACTABLE Defined for English Language Learners

intractable

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intractable

medical Definition of intractable

intractability

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