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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of intractable
But in fact the problem is much more intractable and difficult than that.
—
Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 11 Nov. 2025
Both carbon offsets and carbon pricing have near-intractable structural problems.
—Jessica F. Green, Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2025
Among the recurrent themes are suicide, mysteriously intractable sorrow, and failed attempts at familial and romantic connection.
—Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
The open-source project has been used by millions of scientists in more than 190 countries, accelerating research into diseases previously considered intractable.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intractable
Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 11 Nov. 2025
Both carbon offsets and carbon pricing have near-intractable structural problems.
—Jessica F. Green, Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2025
Among the recurrent themes are suicide, mysteriously intractable sorrow, and failed attempts at familial and romantic connection.
—Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
The open-source project has been used by millions of scientists in more than 190 countries, accelerating research into diseases previously considered intractable.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intractable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intractable
Adjective
-
Prior to the Emancipation Proclamation, slavery was the law in the rebellious states.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Jan. 2026
-
This wretched regime is doomed to be overthrown by the risen populace and rebellious youth.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
1 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
These two ingredients mixed together creates a powerful mixture perfect for lifting stubborn stains off grout because of their high cleaning and brightening properties.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The vinegar cleaning method isn’t foolproof, and sometimes stubborn residue can remain on your microwave walls.—
Gemma Johnstone,
The Spruce,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Two men are targeted by the rebel army who overthrew the government of Colonel Jacobo Arbenz Guzman.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Jan. 2026
-
He was denounced by rebel propagandists as a tyrant and remembered by Americans as a reactionary dolt.—
Bhumika Tharoor,
The Atlantic,
30 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
On Friday, a federal judge shot down arguments that the emergency funds can be employed only for hurricanes or other unmanageable catastrophes, ruling in favor of more than 20 states led by Democrats that sued the administration.—
Tara Suter,
The Hill,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The Humane Society reminds pet owners that help is available for those feeling overwhelmed and encourages community members to reach out before situations become unmanageable.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Vice President Delcy Rodriguez initially was angry and defiant.—
Arthur I. Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Venezuela’s interim leader, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, has alternated between taking a conciliatory approach towards Washington and striking a defiant tone.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Adams had carefully shepherded it through an often-recalcitrant City Council and through the gauntlet of demands coming from both the real estate lobby and pro-housing advocates.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
1 Jan. 2026
-
Putin has been recalcitrant about accepting previous Trump plans to end the war.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
27 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Leaders often blame uncontrollable factors—policies of previous administrations, hiring for a boom that fizzled unexpectedly, macroeconomic uncertainty, the rise of artificial intelligence—but all too often the real strategic issues go unaddressed.—
Harvard Business Review,
Harvard Business Review,
1 Jan. 2026
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The phenomenon of cavitation—the formation and collapse of tiny gas bubbles due to changes in pressure—was considered an undesirable and largely uncontrollable side effect.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
22 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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This is, by far, the most common TES approach in industry, with most companies using legacy technologies like refractory bricks and molten salt to store heat in insulated shipping containers.—
Erik Kobayashi-Solomon,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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This is due to a rare condition called refractory celiac disease, which requires specialized treatment.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
19 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Intractable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intractable. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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