Synonyms of intractable

intractable

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈtrak-tə-bəl 

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

• rebellious
• rebel
• stubborn
• defiant
• recalcitrant
• willful
• refractory
• ungovernable
• dogged
• obstreperous
• rigid
• contrary
• unruly
• balky
• contumacious
• restive
• insubordinate
• disobedient
• adamant
• wayward
• mischievous
• naughty
• unrelenting
• untoward
• uncontrollable
• resistant
• incompliant
• dissident
• wild
• uncooperative
• insurgent
• froward
• unmanageable
• bad
• rude
• obstinate
• obdurate
• implacable
• noncooperative
• recusant
• mutinous
• fractious
• mulish
• inflexible
• peevish
• immovable
• unbending
• unyielding
• opinionated
• uncompromising
• pertinacious
• negativistic
• hardheaded
• wrongheaded
• adamantine
• headstrong
• monkeying
• pigheaded
• perverse
• disorderly
• undisciplined
• self-willed
• ornery
• errant
• insolent
• impudent
• ungracious
• disrespectful
• discourteous
• uncivil
• uncouth
• impolite
• impertinent
• unmannerly
• inconsiderate
• nonconformist
• misbehaving
• monkeyish
• ill-mannered
• ill-natured
• ill-bred

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tractable
• amenable
• cooperative
• docile
• obedient
• compliant
• amiable
• conformable
• submissive
• agreeable
• deferential
• acquiescent
• behaved
• yielding
• biddable
• disciplined
• polite
• respectful
• courteous
• obliging
• well-bred
• ruly
• servile
• manageable
• obsequious
• subservient
• proper
• orderly
• slavish
• controllable
• decorous
• trainable
• mannerly
• governable
• kowtowing

2

as in stubborn

given to resisting control or discipline by others

cats are by nature fairly intractable animals

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stubborn
• unmanageable
• recalcitrant
• uncontrollable
• refractory
• ungovernable
• difficult
• unruly
• rebellious
• willful
• out of hand
• wayward
• headstrong
• intransigent
• incontrollable
• untoward
• naughty
• obstinate
• obdurate
• incorrigible
• mulish
• uncontrolled
• stiff
• froward
• hardheaded
• undisciplined
• opinionated
• bullheaded
• perverse
• pigheaded
• wild
• contrary
• unpunished
• irrepressible
• boisterous
• rowdy
• self-willed
• rambunctious
• insubordinate
• disobedient
• stiff-necked
• indocile
• misbehaving

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tractable
• manageable
• controllable
• obedient
• docile
• governable
• compliant
• pliable
• submissive
• yielding
• willing
• responsive
• receptive
• well-behaved
• reasonable
• accepting
• placable
• temperate
• trainable
• persuadable

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

Recent Examples of intractable

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

By moving the team across the bridge to Tampa, the Rays may finally solve one of their most intractable issues. — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 30 Aug. 2026

As a result, McCray is one of hundreds of experts who are no longer meeting to work on some of the most intractable and urgent problems around health and science in the United States. — Katia Riddle, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026