Thesaurus

recalcitrant

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of recalcitrant

1 given to resisting authority or another's control

The manager worried that the recalcitrant employee would try to undermine his authority.

Synonyms of recalcitrant

balky, contrary, contumacious, defiant, disobedient, froward, incompliant, insubordinate, intractable, obstreperous, rebel, rebellious, refractory, restive, ungovernable, unruly, untoward, wayward, willful (or wilful)

Words Related to recalcitrant

noncooperative, uncooperative

insurgent, mutinous

adamant, adamantine, dogged, hardheaded, headstrong, immovable, implacable, inflexible, mulish, obdurate, obstinate, opinionated, peevish, pertinacious, pigheaded, rigid, self-willed, stubborn, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unyielding

fractious, restive, uncontrollable, unmanageable, wild

perverse, resistant, wrongheaded

bad, disorderly, errant, misbehaving, mischievous, naughty

discourteous, disrespectful, ill-bred, ill-mannered, ill-natured, impertinent, impolite, impudent, inconsiderate, insolent, ornery, rude, uncivil, uncouth, ungracious, unmannerly

Near Antonyms of recalcitrant

acquiescent, agreeable, amiable, cooperative, deferential, obliging

behaved, disciplined, well-bred

courteous, polite, respectful

kowtowing, obsequious, servile, slavish, subservient

decorous, mannerly, orderly, proper

controllable, governable, manageable, trainable

Antonyms of recalcitrant

amenable, biddable, compliant, conformable, docile, obedient, ruly, submissive, tractable

2 given to resisting control or discipline by others

a recalcitrant dog sent to obedience school

Synonyms of recalcitrant

froward, headstrong, incontrollable, intractable, refractory, uncontrollable, ungovernable, unmanageable, unruly, untoward, wayward, willful (or wilful)

Words Related to recalcitrant

bullheaded, contrary, difficult, hardheaded, incorrigible, intransigent, mulish, obdurate, obstinate, opinionated, perverse, pigheaded, self-willed, stiff, stiff-necked, stubborn

undisciplined, unpunished

uncontrolled, wild

boisterous, irrepressible, rambunctious, rowdy

disobedient, insubordinate, rebellious

Phrases Synonymous with recalcitrant

out of hand

Near Antonyms of recalcitrant

docile, obedient, well-behaved

compliant, placable, pliable, submissive, yielding

accepting, persuadable, receptive, responsive, willing

reasonable, temperate, trainable

Antonyms of recalcitrant

controllable, governable, manageable, tractable

Synonym Discussion of recalcitrant

unruly, ungovernable, intractable, refractory, recalcitrant, willful, headstrong mean not submissive to government or control. unruly implies lack of discipline or incapacity for discipline and often connotes waywardness or turbulence of behavior.

- unruly children

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

intractable suggests stubborn resistance to guidance or control.

- intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste dump

refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold.

- special schools for refractory children

recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority.

- acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace

willful implies an obstinate determination to have one's own way.

- a willful disregard for the rights of others

headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion.

- a headstrong young cavalry officer

Learn More about recalcitrant

Dictionary: Definition of recalcitrant Medical Dictionary: Definition of recalcitrant Spanish Central: Translation of recalcitrant Nglish: Translation of recalcitrant for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of recalcitrant for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up recalcitrant? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

satiety

play

fullness to the point of excess

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games