1
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
refractory players will be ejected from the game
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stubborn
given to resisting control or discipline by others
believing that rules are only for other people, he's been refractory virtually his entire life
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of refractory
This current study extends the successful results previously published on the virus-free preparation of CD19-specific CAR T-cells against refractory B cell malignancies utilizing Applied DNA's Linea™ DNA.
—
Kansas City Star, 13 May 2024
Marinus Pharmaceuticals said an experimental treatment for refractory status epilepticus failed to meet early stopping criteria for a Phase 3 study.
—Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 15 Apr. 2024
All of the children had rare, relapsed or refractory cancers and were running out of treatment options.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024
Many of those patients were able to receive a potentially curative stem cell transplant later on, which is often the ultimate goal for patients with relapsed or refractory patients.
—Damian Garde, STAT, 13 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for refractory
Kansas City Star, 13 May 2024
Marinus Pharmaceuticals said an experimental treatment for refractory status epilepticus failed to meet early stopping criteria for a Phase 3 study.
—Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 15 Apr. 2024
All of the children had rare, relapsed or refractory cancers and were running out of treatment options.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024
Many of those patients were able to receive a potentially curative stem cell transplant later on, which is often the ultimate goal for patients with relapsed or refractory patients.
—Damian Garde, STAT, 13 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for refractory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refractory
Adjective
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Mexican music has always been rock-ish in spirit — sincere, rebellious, a direct message that invites you to rebel against the world.—
Ernesto Lechner,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2025
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Strahovski shares details about her character’s state of mind the moment when everything changed with a bold and rebellious move, after finding love again with Commander Wharton (Josh Charles), below.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
22 June 2025
Adjective
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Then Curry, rattled by the monumental reverb of Kyrie’s shot, hurried into a stubborn approach on the ensuing possession, missed a desperate 3 over Kevin Love, who used his length and a rare display of defensive intensity to deny Curry a good look.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
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All of which can be employed by Musk or anyone else using AI to target us with false political advertising tailored to our most stubborn biases, further dividing us, manipulating elections and solidifying what has already become a fascist state.—
Sal Recchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 June 2025
Adjective
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Serena became an integral part of the rebel movement to destroy Gilead.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
22 June 2025
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But on Friday, the beer maker said the situation had deteriorated further, and that armed personnel had taken control of its facilities in Bukavu and Goma - eastern Congo’s two biggest cities, now under rebel control - and nearby areas.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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Pulled along by Valérie like a recalcitrant puppy, Richard sets off on a quest to find the missing man, who may have ties to the Sicilian Mafia.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
25 June 2025
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Khamenei’s stance is at once recalcitrant and cautious to the point of cowardice.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
22 June 2025
Adjective
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That’s what makes their fourth studio album, Lucius, almost defiant in its return to form.—
Marissa R. Moss,
Rolling Stone,
11 June 2025
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Asked about his potential exit at the weekend while on international duty for Germany, Ter Stegen was defiant.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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To bring this seemingly intractable fight to an end would require a solution that serves both sides’ interests, producing the affordable housing our city needs and saving this open space neighbors love.—
Randy Mastro,
New York Daily News,
24 June 2025
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Growing up in close proximity to Los Angeles’s storied music venues was another intractable part of their youth.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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Commenters had a lot to say, and many of them highlighted an often uncontrollable difference between generations: financial insecurity.—
Anna Halkidis,
Parents,
26 June 2025
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In both cases, the objective was to signal strength while minimizing the chance of escalation into uncontrollable conflict.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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The sateen shell kept cool, and the weight and thickness of this insert were ideal and not too unwieldy, too fluffy or unmanageable.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
30 May 2025
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In fact, 43% of employees attribute burnout to an unmanageable workload, while 37% point to insufficient resources, and nearly 35% cite toxic workplace culture as a root cause.—
Lisa Bodell,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Refractory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refractory. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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