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Synonym Chooser

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 Doing the same for two is considerably harder; when the number grows to eight, the problem becomes practically intractable. Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 25 Sep. 2025 Rather, the goal is to maximise investment returns – Mounsey-Heysham and his co-founders just happen to believe the best way to do that is to identify companies with convincing answers to large and seemingly intractable societal problems. David Prosser, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025 When paired with a custom interpolation algorithm, this tensor-train technique makes an intractable problem solvable at a faster rate. Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025 The most politically divisive, intractable issues affect our sense of self and our sense of agency. Sarah Stein Lubrano, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for intractable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intractable
Adjective
  • But the couple have yet to conceive an heir, so when Jerome absconds and his dashing friend Manfred (Galitzine) arrives with dastardly intentions, Hero (Corrin), Cherry’s wily and loyal maid, is forced to concoct a plan to distract Manfred by telling captivating stories about rebellious women.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2025
  • With her King Kylie persona, Jenner showed off more rebellious, edgy and experimental looks, including blue hair.
    Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Month over month, that would be the same stubborn pace that has persisted for more than two years.
    Steve Kopack, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Results show that microbial iron mining can immobilize toxic metals and convert stubborn pollutants into less harmful compounds.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The 64-year-old actor famously portrays rebel leader Morpheus, captain of the Nebuchadnezzar, in the hit sci-fi action film franchise.
    Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The palace officials assured them the president was there, hashing out a plan with his military and Russian and Iranian advisers to confront the advancing rebel forces.
    Danny Makki, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The protagonist’s diabolical plot is fuelled by an unmanageable tangle of emotions, including raging jealousy, mercenary self-interest, and resentment of Eileen’s professional and intellectual accomplishments, which sparks shame at her own cosseted frivolity.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Digital exhaustion increased to 84% in 2025 from 75% the prior year, while unmanageable workloads also rose to 77%, per the report.
    Sawdah Bhaimiya Aisha Ditta, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • On Monday afternoon, Petro remained defiant.
    Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
  • This Irish American neighborhood is famous for its quirky upside-down traffic light, where green proudly sits above red—a symbol of its defiant community spirit.
    Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Ukraine has seen Europe step financially and militarily into the void left by America, and then seen the same recalcitrant White House offer them its best missiles.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
  • William meanwhile remained recalcitrant.
    Stacy Schiff, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The immunity would not apply in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct by the dispatcher.
    Jessie Opoien, jsonline.com, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Ver admitted that his understatement of tax on his 2014 return was willful.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • What’s curious, then, is not Trump’s eagerness to degrade us, but his uncontrollable urge to defile himself and his office.
    Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
  • When he was hired, Hazimeh told supervisors he had been diagnosed with anxiety, resulting in an uncontrollable nervous tic.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Intractable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intractable. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

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