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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of intractable
The fickle and slippery tastes of your consumers, the intractable pitch and yaw of global markets, and the complexity surrounding supply chains and bringing goods to the market.
—
Christian Davies Fcsd, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Some cancer patients with intractable pain use a fentanyl patch or fentanyl lozenge, for example.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
What’s more, considering the seemingly intractable divide inside our own borders, there may be no better time to take a chance to reacquaint ourselves with our neighbors.
—Ryan Krogh, Outside Online, 3 June 2025
Whoever the mediator, one intractable dispute has consistently prevented a deal.
—Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for intractable
Christian Davies Fcsd, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Some cancer patients with intractable pain use a fentanyl patch or fentanyl lozenge, for example.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
What’s more, considering the seemingly intractable divide inside our own borders, there may be no better time to take a chance to reacquaint ourselves with our neighbors.
—Ryan Krogh, Outside Online, 3 June 2025
Whoever the mediator, one intractable dispute has consistently prevented a deal.
—Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for intractable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intractable
Adjective
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From the start, Handy argues, the on-screen adventures in teen movies have been targeted to a double audience of rebellious teens and anxious adults.—
Hillary Kelly,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2025
-
In addition to provoking rebellious and impulsive actions, this unpredictable synergy can abruptly derail plans.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
Then Curry, rattled by the monumental reverb of Kyrie’s shot, hurried into a stubborn approach on the ensuing possession, missed a desperate 3 over Kevin Love, who used his length and a rare display of defensive intensity to deny Curry a good look.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
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All of which can be employed by Musk or anyone else using AI to target us with false political advertising tailored to our most stubborn biases, further dividing us, manipulating elections and solidifying what has already become a fascist state.—
Sal Recchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 June 2025
Adjective
-
Serena became an integral part of the rebel movement to destroy Gilead.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
22 June 2025
-
But on Friday, the beer maker said the situation had deteriorated further, and that armed personnel had taken control of its facilities in Bukavu and Goma - eastern Congo’s two biggest cities, now under rebel control - and nearby areas.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
The sateen shell kept cool, and the weight and thickness of this insert were ideal and not too unwieldy, too fluffy or unmanageable.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
30 May 2025
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In fact, 43% of employees attribute burnout to an unmanageable workload, while 37% point to insufficient resources, and nearly 35% cite toxic workplace culture as a root cause.—
Lisa Bodell,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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That’s what makes their fourth studio album, Lucius, almost defiant in its return to form.—
Marissa R. Moss,
Rolling Stone,
11 June 2025
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Asked about his potential exit at the weekend while on international duty for Germany, Ter Stegen was defiant.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
And the recalcitrant public statements by Mr. Trump and members of his cabinet have raised questions about whether his administration is openly defying the Supreme Court’s instructions — and what, if anything, might be done about that.—
Alan Feuer,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
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In response, these recalcitrant members of Congress simply refused to adopt must-pass federal reapportionment legislation.—
Made by History,
Time,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Cruz was the fourth of her parents’ eight children and willful from a young age.—
Rebecca Grant
June 24,
Literary Hub,
24 June 2025
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Importantly, and unlike the ICA, willful violations of the ADA can incur criminal penalties.—
Doug Criscitello,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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Commenters had a lot to say, and many of them highlighted an often uncontrollable difference between generations: financial insecurity.—
Anna Halkidis,
Parents,
26 June 2025
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In both cases, the objective was to signal strength while minimizing the chance of escalation into uncontrollable conflict.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Intractable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intractable. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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