1
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
the manager worried that the recalcitrant employee would try to undermine his authority
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stubborn
given to resisting control or discipline by others
a heart-to-heart talk with the recalcitrant youth revealed that he had a troubled life at home
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Recent Examples of recalcitrant
With Iranian power and influence waning, and with the challenges of an ascendant China and a recalcitrant Russia necessarily dominating the American national security agenda, indifference may appear to be the most appealing option for Washington.
—
Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2025
In that case, the Saudis would bring greater pressure to be on their recalcitrant partners.
—Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
The first two questions would streamline approvals for housing developments, while the third would establish an Affordable Housing Appeals Board that could override a recalcitrant City Council.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 25 July 2025
Whitmer and recalcitrant lawmakers deserve an equal share of the blame for the lame duck flameout.
—M.l. Elrick, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for recalcitrant
Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2025
In that case, the Saudis would bring greater pressure to be on their recalcitrant partners.
—Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
The first two questions would streamline approvals for housing developments, while the third would establish an Affordable Housing Appeals Board that could override a recalcitrant City Council.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 25 July 2025
Whitmer and recalcitrant lawmakers deserve an equal share of the blame for the lame duck flameout.
—M.l. Elrick, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for recalcitrant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recalcitrant
Adjective
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But the couple have yet to conceive an heir, so when Jerome absconds and his dashing friend Manfred (Galitzine) arrives with dastardly intentions, Hero (Corrin), Cherry’s wily and loyal maid, is forced to concoct a plan to distract Manfred by telling captivating stories about rebellious women.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Oct. 2025
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With her King Kylie persona, Jenner showed off more rebellious, edgy and experimental looks, including blue hair.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Uninhibited by the European commitments of their rivals following last season’s dreary eighth-place finish, Massimiliano Allegri has wasted no time moulding the Rossoneri into a stubborn outfit that sit within two points of the summit after a 0-0 draw at Juventus before the international break.—
Jack Bantock,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
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That damaging psychic weight of insecurity and self-blame seeps into our society and politics, where polls show a stubborn and longtime trend of declining faith in a better future.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The 64-year-old actor famously portrays rebel leader Morpheus, captain of the Nebuchadnezzar, in the hit sci-fi action film franchise.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
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The palace officials assured them the president was there, hashing out a plan with his military and Russian and Iranian advisers to confront the advancing rebel forces.—
Danny Makki,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Lawmwakers on Capitol Hill, entrenched in a seemingly intractable debate over health care and immigration, have struggled for nearly two weeks to pass any funding bills to turn the lights back on.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
11 Oct. 2025
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Prisons hide away many of society’s most intractable problems—violence, mental illness, addiction—but the officers who work inside spend their days face to face with them.—
Jennifer Gonnerman,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Kurt Caz, a white South African social-media star with millions of followers across platforms, first gained popularity through filming his defiant tours of dangerous neighborhoods in countries such as Venezuela and Kenya.—
T. M. Brown,
New Yorker,
15 Oct. 2025
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In a defiant address to the nation on Monday night, Rajoelina said that he had been forced to move to a safe place because of threats to his life.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This is, by far, the most common TES approach in industry, with most companies using legacy technologies like refractory bricks and molten salt to store heat in insulated shipping containers.—
Erik Kobayashi-Solomon,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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This is due to a rare condition called refractory celiac disease, which requires specialized treatment.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
19 July 2025
Adjective
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The text is excitable and wayward, while many of the photographs are dramatically dull.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
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Nelson encountered a first Monday afternoon at KeyBank Center when he was cut on the left wrist by a wayward skate.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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That revelation—learning that uncontrollable crying wasn’t her personality but neurological damage—became another layer of self-compassion.—
Emily Cegielski,
Flow Space,
10 Oct. 2025
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These friends act as social insurance systems for each other, helping each other when needs arise because of unpredictable and uncontrollable events.—
Athena Aktipis,
The Conversation,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Recalcitrant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recalcitrant. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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