INTRACTABLE Synonyms: 142 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'intractable' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of intractable are headstrong , recalcitrant , refractory , ungovernable , unruly , and willful . While all these words mean "not submissive to government or control," intractable suggests stubborn resistance to guidance or control. // intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste dump

Q: When would 'headstrong' be a good substitute for 'intractable'?

The synonyms headstrong and intractable are sometimes interchangeable, but headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion. // a headstrong young cavalry officer

Q: When is 'recalcitrant' a more appropriate choice than 'intractable'?

Although the words recalcitrant and intractable have much in common, recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority. // acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace

Q: When can 'refractory' be used instead of 'intractable'?

While in some cases nearly identical to intractable , refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold. // special schools for refractory children

Q: Where would 'ungovernable' be a reasonable alternative to 'intractable'?

The words ungovernable and intractable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

Q: When is it sensible to use 'unruly' instead of 'intractable'?

The words unruly and intractable can be used in similar contexts, but unruly implies lack of discipline or incapacity for discipline and often connotes waywardness or turbulence of behavior. // unruly children

Q: When could 'willful' be used to replace 'intractable'?

The meanings of willful and intractable largely overlap; however, willful implies an obstinate determination to have one's own way. // a willful disregard for the rights of others

intractable

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈtrak-tə-bəl

Definition of intractable

as in rebellious

given to resisting authority or another's control an intractable child who deliberately does the opposite of whatever he is told

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in stubborn

given to resisting control or discipline by others cats are by nature fairly intractable animals

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the adjective intractable differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of intractable are headstrong, recalcitrant, refractory, ungovernable, unruly, and willful. While all these words mean "not submissive to government or control," intractable suggests stubborn resistance to guidance or control.

intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste dump

When would headstrong be a good substitute for intractable?

The synonyms headstrong and intractable are sometimes interchangeable, but headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion.

a headstrong young cavalry officer

When is recalcitrant a more appropriate choice than intractable?

Although the words recalcitrant and intractable have much in common, recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority.

acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace

When can refractory be used instead of intractable?

While in some cases nearly identical to intractable, refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold.

special schools for refractory children

Where would ungovernable be a reasonable alternative to intractable?

The words ungovernable and intractable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

When is it sensible to use unruly instead of intractable?

The words unruly and intractable can be used in similar contexts, but unruly implies lack of discipline or incapacity for discipline and often connotes waywardness or turbulence of behavior.

unruly children

When could willful be used to replace intractable?

The meanings of willful and intractable largely overlap; however, willful implies an obstinate determination to have one's own way.

a willful disregard for the rights of others

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of intractable Philly’s high rate of hit-and-run crashes is a more intractable issue. — D. Alex Quistberg, The Conversation, 21 Sep. 2026 Such huge stakes leave little room for compromise, making the wars deeply intractable. — Nadia Schadlow, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2026 The intractable part could be the very thing that gives our lives meaning. — Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026 Called for since the demolition of Harlem’s elevated lines three quarters of a century ago, the Second Avenue Subway has achieved mythical status as an intractable project. — Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for intractable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for intractable

Adjective

Converse and Vaquera are coming together again with a rebellious spirit.

— Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
In the episode on the 1993 timeline, the team intervenes when a general’s rebellious teen son is targeted by a dangerous former gang member.

— Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of rebellious

Adjective

An honor that seems to bring things full circle for that stubborn little girl who dreamed of performing on stages around the world from her farm.

— Ilaria Perrotta, Vanity Fair, 24 Oct. 2026
How To Remove Leaf Stains With Chlorine Bleach Bleach is very effective at removing stubborn leaf stains, along with mildew and moss.

— Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of stubborn

Adjective

Since early 2025, the March 23 Movement, a rebel group, has seized control of large parts of the park, fueling poaching, deforestation and trafficking.

— Elodie Toto, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Capturing towns and roads would hamper Tigrayan fighters without necessarily securing the vast rural areas where the rebel forces regrouped during the previous war, Taylor said.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of rebel

Adjective

The first of the 12 steps is admitting that your relationship with your vice has become unmanageable.

— Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
If your debt is unmanageable, check with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling to see if a debt management plan might help.

— Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of unmanageable

Adjective

Angry and defiant, McQueen became a full throttle juvenile delinquent, and his mother sent him to the California Junior Boys Republic in Chino.

— Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
From men wearing pink to push back against the pressures of toxic masculinity to women pushing back against unrealistic body standards, pink has become a color of defiant empathy.

— Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of defiant

Adjective

Brian is a gee-whiz irritant, with a reckless attachment to the family’s conveniently recalcitrant dog and a knack for making dangerous situations worse.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
In their recalcitrant way, the balance tips more toward the sentimental than the cynical.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 24 July 2026

Definition of recalcitrant

Adjective

The Persian Gulf state has declared force majeure — citing unexpected, uncontrollable events preventing contracts from being honored — every month since the March attack.

— Spencer Kimball,Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
About 20% of those in the study reported fatigue, rash, diarrhea, and uncontrollable itching.

— Alice Park, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of uncontrollable

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“Intractable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intractable. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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