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1
given to resisting authority or another's control
- an intractable child who deliberately does the opposite of whatever he is told
- balky,
- contrary,
- contumacious,
- defiant,
- disobedient,
- froward,
- incompliant,
- insubordinate,
- obstreperous,
- rebel,
- rebellious,
- recalcitrant,
- recusant,
- refractory,
- restive,
- ungovernable,
- unruly,
- untoward,
- wayward,
- willful
- (or wilful)
- adamant,
- adamantine,
- dogged,
- hardheaded,
- headstrong,
- immovable,
- implacable,
- inflexible,
- mulish,
- negativistic,
- obdurate,
- obstinate,
- opinionated,
- peevish,
- pertinacious,
- pigheaded,
- rigid,
- self-willed,
- stubborn,
- unbending,
- uncompromising,
- unrelenting,
- unyielding
- discourteous,
- disrespectful,
- ill-bred,
- ill-mannered,
- ill-natured,
- impertinent,
- impolite,
- impudent,
- inconsiderate,
- insolent,
- ornery,
- rude,
- uncivil,
- uncouth,
- ungracious,
- unmannerly
2
given to resisting control or discipline by others
- cats are by nature fairly intractable animals
- froward,
- headstrong,
- incontrollable,
- recalcitrant,
- refractory,
- uncontrollable,
- ungovernable,
- unmanageable,
- unruly,
- untoward,
- wayward,
- willful
- (or wilful)
- bullheaded,
- contrary,
- difficult,
- hardheaded,
- incorrigible,
- intransigent,
- mulish,
- obdurate,
- obstinate,
- opinionated,
- perverse,
- pigheaded,
- self-willed,
- stiff,
- stiff-necked,
- stubborn
Frequently Asked Questions About intractable
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
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Time Traveler for intractable
The first known use of intractable was in 1531
See more words from the same year