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refractory

adjective
re·​frac·​to·​ry | \ ri-ˈfrak-t(ə-)rē How to pronounce refractory (audio) \

Definition of refractory

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : resisting control or authority : stubborn, unmanageable
2a : 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

refractory

noun
plural refractories

Definition of refractory (Entry 2 of 2)

: a refractory person or thing especially : a heat-resisting ceramic material
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Other Words from refractory

Adjective

refractorily \ ri-​ˈfrak-​t(ə-​)rə-​lē How to pronounce refractorily (audio) ; ˌrē-​ˌfrak-​ˈtȯr-​ə-​lē , ri-​ \ adverb
refractoriness \ ri-​ˈfrak-​t(ə-​)rē-​nəs How to pronounce refractoriness (audio) \ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for refractory

Adjective

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

Did You Know?

Adjective

Refractory is from the Latin word refractarius. During the 17th century, it was sometimes spelled as refractary, but that spelling, though more in keeping with its Latin parent, had fallen out of use by the century's end. Refractarius, like refractory, is the result of a slight variation in spelling. It stems from the Latin verb refragari, meaning "to oppose."

Examples of refractory in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

 Made with refractory material like that found in faux fireplace logs, the spooky stoneware skulls are fireproof and lightweight. — Taysha Murtaugh, Country Living, "These $30 Skull Logs Will Make Your Fireplace Extra Eerie for Halloween," 10 Oct. 2018 Soon Maggie seems to be channeling him, both in her refractory behavior and in her strange, scrawled paintings. — Sam Sacks, WSJ, "Fiction Chronicle: Under West Indian Eyes," 18 May 2018 One featured patients with refractory celiac disease type 2, the most severe form of celiac disease. — Sumathi Reddy, WSJ, "The Dilemma of the Gluten-Free Diet," 16 Apr. 2018 But 5% of heart failure remains refractory to medical treatment, and in these patients palliative care has been shown to improve patient satisfaction and decrease costs. — Marc Siegel, WSJ, "Barbara Bush Faces Death With Courage," 16 Apr. 2018 It’s being used in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma, a cancer of the bone marrow. — Bradley J. Fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Poseida raises $30.5 million for cancer cell therapy," 4 Apr. 2018 Mugnaini imports the core elements — the Italian firebrick floor and the refractory-clay crown — and workers assemble the modular ovens in her 14,000-square-foot Healdsburg facility. — Janet Fletcher, San Francisco Chronicle, "Why not wood-fire all your meals?," 17 Jan. 2018 All of these participants were also taking opioids, but still experiencing refractory pain. — Sarah Jacoby, SELF, "Olivia Newton-John Uses Medical Cannabis to Help With Her Cancer Pain," 21 Sep. 2017 The ketogenic diet was developed nearly 100 years ago to reduce seizures in children with refractory epilepsy. — Bradley J. Fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Food, diet and supplements: The story behind the story," 6 May 2017

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

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First Known Use of refractory

Adjective

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1627, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for refractory

Adjective

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

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Time Traveler for refractory

The first known use of refractory was in 1606

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More Definitions for refractory

refractory

adjective
How to pronounce refractory (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of refractory

medical : difficult to treat or cure
formal : difficult to control or deal with

See the full definition for refractory in the English Language Learners Dictionary

refractory

adjective
re·​frac·​to·​ry | \ ri-ˈfrak-tə-rē How to pronounce refractory (audio) \

Kids Definition of refractory

1 : resisting control or authority : stubborn a refractory child
2 : capable of enduring very high temperatures refractory clays

refractory

adjective
re·​frac·​to·​ry | \ ri-ˈfrak-t(ə-)rē How to pronounce refractory (audio) \

Medical Definition of refractory

1 : resistant to treatment or cure a refractory fulminant lesion had disease that was extremely refractory to multiple intensive therapies— Michelle L. Bennett et al
2 : unresponsive to stimulus the refractory period of a muscle fiber
3 : resistant or not responding to an infectious agent : immune refractory to reinfection

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More from Merriam-Webster on refractory

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for refractory

Spanish Central: Translation of refractory

Nglish: Translation of refractory for Spanish Speakers

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