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
• defiant
• stubborn
• recalcitrant
• willful
• refractory
• dogged
• rigid
• ungovernable
• obstreperous
• contrary
• wilful
• unruly
• balky
• contumacious
• restive
• adamant
• insubordinate
• disobedient
• wayward
• mischievous
• unrelenting
• naughty
• uncontrollable
• untoward
• resistant
• incompliant
• dissident
• insurgent
• wild
• uncooperative
• froward
• unmanageable
• bad
• rude
• obstinate
• obdurate
• implacable
• noncooperative
• recusant
• mutinous
• fractious
• mulish
• inflexible
• peevish
• opinionated
• immovable
• unbending
• unyielding
• uncompromising
• pertinacious
• negativistic
• hardheaded
• wrongheaded
• monkeying
• adamantine
• headstrong
• pigheaded
• perverse
• disorderly
• undisciplined
• self-willed
• ornery
• errant
• insolent
• impudent
• disrespectful
• ungracious
• 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
• wilful
• difficult
• ungovernable
• willful
• unruly
• rebellious
• out of hand
• wayward
• headstrong
• intransigent
• incontrollable
• naughty
• untoward
• obstinate
• obdurate
• incorrigible
• stiff
• uncontrolled
• froward
• hardheaded
• wild
• undisciplined
• mulish
• opinionated
• bullheaded
• perverse
• pigheaded
• 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

But the therapeutic age is now more than a century old, and the problem has proved intractable. —Vivian Gornick, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2025

Now that would be a truly innovative solution for an issue that appears to be growing more and more intractable. —Davia Temin, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025

Sidelined was any talk of limits on Western assistance to Ukraine, any worries about the risk of nuclear escalation, and above all any compromise or negotiation regarding what has been an intractable war of position for years: the battle lines have not budged enormously since November 2022. —Samuel Moyn, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025

Hundreds of people were rescued in the early morning of July 4 as the Guadalupe River surged to unprecedented heights in less than an hour, its intractable current carrying homes and vehicles for miles downstream. —Morgan Chesky, NBC news, 15 July 2025