refractory

1 of 2

adjective

re·​frac·​to·​ry ri-ˈfrak-t(ə-)rē 

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

refractorily

ri-ˈfrak-t(ə-)rə-lē 

ˌrē-ˌfrak-ˈtȯr-ə-lē

ri-

adverb

refractoriness

ri-ˈfrak-t(ə-)rē-nəs 

noun

refractory

2 of 2

noun

plural refractories

: a refractory person or thing

especially : a heat-resisting ceramic material

Did you know?

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."

Synonyms

Adjective

• rebellious
• rebel
• defiant
• stubborn
• recalcitrant
• intractable

Choose the Right Synonym for refractory

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 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

The study found that women account for 3.4 percent of the construction labor force and 4 percent for industrial and refractory machinery mechanics. —Ashley Fredde, Idaho Statesman, 1 Apr. 2025

While cannabinoids offer a potential alternative for refractory chronic pain, optimal use requires personalized dosing and further high-quality trials targeting specific pain subtypes. —Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2025

Noun

The drugs treat an autoimmune disease, thyroid eye disease, and an inflammatory condition, chronic refractory gout. —Rebecca Robbins, BostonGlobe.com, 16 May 2023

Dolastatin 10-based ADCs have been approved for treatment of different lymphomas and refractory bladder cancer. —Brittany Edelmann, Discover Magazine, 14 Oct. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

Adjective

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1627, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing refractory

• refractory period

Rhymes for refractory

• olfactory
• factory
• manufactory
• unsatisfactory

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Kids Definition

refractory

adjective

re·​frac·​to·​ry

ri-ˈfrakt(ə-)rē

1

: resisting control or authority : stubborn

a refractory child

2

: resistant to treatment : unresponsive

3

: capable of enduring high temperatures

refractoriness

-t(ə-)rē-nəs

noun

Medical Definition

refractory

adjective

re·​frac·​to·​ry ri-ˈfrak-t(ə-)rē 

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