1
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
an intractable child who deliberately does the opposite of whatever he is told
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stubborn
given to resisting control or discipline by others
cats are by nature fairly intractable animals
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of intractable
Ukraine and its allies in Europe have long pushed for there to be a ceasefire as a first step toward ending the war, which would require resolving seemingly intractable issues such as land and security guarantees.
—
Svitlana Vlasova, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025
Only when/if that meeting happens will the intractable issue of land be up for discussion.
—Tom Soufi Burridge, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2025
But the therapeutic age is now more than a century old, and the problem has proved intractable.
—Vivian Gornick, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2025
This approach draws inspiration from historical precedents where creative governance arrangements solved seemingly intractable disputes.
—Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for intractable
Svitlana Vlasova, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025
Only when/if that meeting happens will the intractable issue of land be up for discussion.
—Tom Soufi Burridge, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2025
But the therapeutic age is now more than a century old, and the problem has proved intractable.
—Vivian Gornick, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2025
This approach draws inspiration from historical precedents where creative governance arrangements solved seemingly intractable disputes.
—Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for intractable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intractable
Adjective
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Written by Kaitlin Reilly and Dorian Keyes, the film follows a rebellious bad boy and a type-A overachiever who join forces to win the student body presidency – and maybe each other’s hearts along the way.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
8 Sep. 2025
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In business, as in life, there are times when conformity is an asset, but in others, embracing your individuality, inhabiting your rebellious spirit and being a true trailblazer are what lead to success.—
Paul Fitzgerald,
Rolling Stone,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Viewers were quick to point out the hilarity of the dog's stubborn protest, with many suggesting that the dachshund had already claimed permanent rights to the bed.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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The stubborn myth that Jews are too safe to be targets is colliding with a painful new reality.—
Andrew Weinstein,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The rebel run is the biggest of them all.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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Humanitarian organizations estimate over 13 million people have been displaced by the fighting between the government’s military forces and the rebel RSF fighters, with famine and disease a by-product of the struggle for power.—
Rory Fleming,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Young adults living at home Rising inflation, increasing student debt and unmanageable housing and rent prices are some indicators of why young people have chosen to live with their parents.—
Sara Chernikoff,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
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The popularity Nirvana gained at stupefying speed and unmanageable proportions in 1991 is impossible to replicate in the culture and music industry of 2025.—
Chris R. Morgan,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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But to Hollywood, Pusser’s defiant story was irresistible.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
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A day earlier, at his pre-match news conference, Pochettino sounded defensive and defiant.—
Henry Bushnell,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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With Iranian power and influence waning, and with the challenges of an ascendant China and a recalcitrant Russia necessarily dominating the American national security agenda, indifference may appear to be the most appealing option for Washington.—
Suzanne Maloney,
Foreign Affairs,
6 Aug. 2025
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In that case, the Saudis would bring greater pressure to be on their recalcitrant partners.—
Michael Lynch,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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The result is a book of willful delirium, one that deconstructs its own narrative.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
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Huger was ultimately charged with a DUI and DWI, negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The main risk is that these batteries can overheat and go into thermal runaway, a chain reaction that occurs when a lithium-ion cell enters an uncontrollable, self-heating state—resulting in extremely high temperature, smoke and, ultimately, a fire that is notoriously difficult to put out.—
Suzanne Rowan Kelleher,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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See a doctor if your bumps do not improve with home care or if the itching is uncontrollable.—
Carrie Madormo,
Health,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Intractable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intractable. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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