INTRACTABLE Synonyms: 142 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

intractable

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈtrak-tə-bəl

Definition of intractable

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

as in stubborn

given to resisting control or discipline by others cats are by nature fairly intractable animals

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The summer recess is increasingly looking like an intractable deadline for the Protect College Sports Act, a bipartisan effort headed by Sens. — ABC News, 31 July 2026 The onset of symptoms In 2022, Marshall started having intractable pain in her abdomen. — Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 30 July 2026 Recognizing the intractable nature of this problem, Gulf states are already planning to reduce their reliance on the strait, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE likely best positioned to develop new oil shipping routes. — Michael P. Dempsey, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 Part of what makes the conflict intractable is who is not harvesting these sharks. — Kate Waxman, Sun Sentinel, 19 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for intractable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for intractable

Adjective

While many may remember Cooter as a gregarious good ‘ol boy, the character had a wild, rebellious side in the first season of the show.

— Tom Tapp, Deadline, 9 Aug. 2026
In a somewhat rebellious moment, Meghan attended her first Trooping the Colour ceremony wearing an off-the-shoulder Carolina Herrera dress.

— Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of rebellious

Adjective

The versatile 5-in-1 scissors tackle everything from opening stubborn packaging to cutting herbs and cracking nuts.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Supporters say soaring demand for electricity for AI data centers and EVs is colliding with California’s push for 100% clean power, leaving a stubborn gap in round-the-clock, low-carbon supply that should be met by nuclear.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of stubborn

Adjective

Yesterday’s punk, grunge, and rebel-outsider upstarts have an uncanny way of evolving into today’s elder statesmen of respectable infamy.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
The rebel group has also intensified its attacks on troops and oil facilities in neighboring Saudi Arabia, which supports the Yemeni government.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of rebel

Adjective

Undiagnosed learning disabilities, trauma or neglect can also make ordinary frustration feel unmanageable.

— Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026
If your debt has already become unmanageable and full repayment isn't realistic, debt settlement may be the right option instead.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of unmanageable

Adjective

In 1933 Mississippi, a group of female friends forms a defiant bond.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Carlos Manuel Vesga submitted the Pluribus episode where Manousos treks up through South America while accepting no help from the hive members, a showcase of defiant pride and a good bit of physically demanding work.

— Joe Reid, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of defiant

Adjective

Part of the problem is that, outside of their tenants’ pleas, landlords face neither any real pressure nor any legal requirement to install shutters and ceiling fans; even owners who want to do so are thwarted by recalcitrant co-op boards or finicky historic-preservation reviews.

— Henry Grabar, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026
The patron saint of the 2024 Democratic National Convention was Fannie Lou Hamer—recalcitrant sharecropper turned agitator and, like the Democratic presidential nominee, a black woman.

— Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 15 June 2026

Definition of recalcitrant

Adjective

Security experts, however, say these events are likely to continue happening given the fundamentally uncontrollable nature of advanced AI systems.

— Emily Forlini, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026
As surveillance and interrogation deepen, the line between loyalty and obsession blurs, leading both men into a dangerous and uncontrollable connection.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of uncontrollable

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“Intractable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intractable. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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