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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective recalcitrant differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of recalcitrant are headstrong, intractable, refractory, ungovernable, unruly, and willful. While all these words mean "not submissive to government or control," recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority.

acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace

When is headstrong a more appropriate choice than recalcitrant?

The words headstrong and recalcitrant can be used in similar contexts, but headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion.

a headstrong young cavalry officer

When might intractable be a better fit than recalcitrant?

While the synonyms intractable and recalcitrant are close in meaning, intractable suggests stubborn resistance to guidance or control.

intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste dump

When could refractory be used to replace recalcitrant?

While in some cases nearly identical to recalcitrant, refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold.

special schools for refractory children

Where would ungovernable be a reasonable alternative to recalcitrant?

Although the words ungovernable and recalcitrant have much in common, 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

In what contexts can unruly take the place of recalcitrant?

The words unruly and recalcitrant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, unruly implies lack of discipline or incapacity for discipline and often connotes waywardness or turbulence of behavior.

unruly children

When would willful be a good substitute for recalcitrant?

The synonyms willful and recalcitrant are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 recalcitrant 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 The United States has long sought to deport immigrants to third countries when their own home nation is recalcitrant or won't accept their own deportees. Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 16 July 2025 Trustees recently discussed options, including trying to convince the four recalcitrant property owners to share in the cost of replacing the lines. Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for recalcitrant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recalcitrant
Adjective
  • The Western world is experiencing something of a psychedelic renaissance, with an increasing amount of interest in drugs that decades ago were considered rebellious and dangerous to some groups but fun to others who used it while clubbing and attending raves.
    Soph Warnes, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Bob and Zoyd are both paranoid in the wake of their rebellious pasts.
    Andrew McGowan, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • For years, scientists have focused on finding ways to neutralize or eliminate this stubborn waste.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025
  • That ever-persistent chasm that has existed between white students and those of color in public schools has remained stubborn in Michigan, where more than 18% of Michigan's public school students are Black.
    Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Nine months after the longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad was toppled by a rebel offensive, Syria faces a litany of new challenges.
    Caroline Rose, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Iran and later Russia dispatched troops to save him, while Turkey and Gulf states backed rebel militias.
    Robin Yassin-Kassab, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Doing the same for two is considerably harder; when the number grows to eight, the problem becomes practically intractable.
    Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 25 Sep. 2025
  • The potential prize for the US president is not a medal in Stockholm, but a place in history as the person who brokered the end of one of the world’s most intractable conflicts.
    Faisal J. Abbas, semafor.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Palestinian Authority president vowed to world leaders that Hamas would have no role in governing post-war Gaza, in a defiant United Nations speech Thursday.
    J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2025
  • In a similar way, a man who is defiant stiffens his neck, squares his shoulders, lowers his brows, and clenches his fists with his knuckles forward.
    Big Think, Big Think, 23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • This is due to a rare condition called refractory celiac disease, which requires specialized treatment.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 19 July 2025
Adjective
  • Schauffele’s teammate, Patrick Cantlay, hit a wayward tee shot as well that left Schauffele in the rough.
    Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Matthew stars in the film as as a wayward bus driver who rescues 22 schoolchildren, and the film brings Kay back onscreen 14 years after her cameo in the 2011 black comedy Bernie.
    Andrea Mandell, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The extended ovation following Kershaw’s ceremonious exit in the top of the fifth preceded the uncontrollable catharsis of Shohei Ohtani’s go-ahead home run in the bottom of the fifth, a three-run shot that pierced the Giants’ soul.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Under Jake’s watch, the burn has been more controlled, but is destined to erupt into the same uncontrollable flames.
    Andy Andersen, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Recalcitrant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recalcitrant. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.

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