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recalcitrance

noun

re·​cal·​ci·​trance ri-ˈkal-sə-trən(t)s How to pronounce recalcitrance (audio)
: the state of being recalcitrant

Examples of recalcitrance in a Sentence

punished her recalcitrance by taking away her driving privileges
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ukraine and its European allies have urged Trump to take tougher action in response to Russia’s recalcitrance. Applying sanctions on countries that do business with Russia will have a wide-ranging impact including on some U.S. allies and will ramp up pressure on Russia and its struggling economy. Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025 Rather than coercing Ukraine into war-ending concessions, however, this gambit only spotlighted the frailty of the bonds between Kyiv and Washington under the Trump administration and led the Kremlin to double down on its strategy of diplomatic recalcitrance and intensified military pressure. Rebecca Lissner, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2025 A certain recalcitrance has always been part of what makes Rosalía so compelling. Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025 Moreover, Trump’s recalcitrance regarding support for military action over Taiwan is broadly shared by its allies. Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for recalcitrance

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of recalcitrance was in 1845

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Cite this Entry

“Recalcitrance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recalcitrance. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

recalcitrance

noun
re·​cal·​ci·​trance ri-ˈkal-sə-trən(t)s How to pronounce recalcitrance (audio)
: the state of being recalcitrant

More from Merriam-Webster on recalcitrance

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