Synonyms of refractory

refractory

adjective

ri-ˈfrak-t(ə-)rē 

1

as in rebellious

given to resisting authority or another's control

refractory players will be ejected from the game

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rebellious
• rebel
• defiant
• stubborn
• recalcitrant
• intractable
• insubordinate
• disobedient
• rigid
• willful
• contumacious
• contrary
• obstreperous
• dogged
• unruly
• restive
• balky
• naughty
• wayward
• resistant
• mischievous
• ungovernable
• adamant
• dissident
• insurgent
• untoward
• unrelenting
• incompliant
• froward
• uncontrollable
• recusant
• obstinate
• rude
• wild
• uncooperative
• obdurate
• mutinous
• bad
• peevish
• pertinacious
• immovable
• unbending
• unmanageable
• inflexible
• implacable
• noncooperative
• mulish
• unyielding
• negativistic
• uncompromising
• fractious
• adamantine
• opinionated
• monkeying
• headstrong
• hardheaded
• disorderly
• insolent
• pigheaded
• errant
• perverse
• impudent
• disrespectful
• self-willed
• undisciplined
• wrongheaded
• discourteous
• ornery
• uncouth
• nonconformist
• impertinent
• inconsiderate
• uncivil
• unmannerly
• impolite
• ungracious
• misbehaving
• monkeyish
• ill-mannered
• ill-bred
• ill-natured

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• obedient
• compliant
• conformable
• amenable
• tractable
• submissive
• docile
• cooperative
• acquiescent
• amiable
• deferential
• agreeable
• yielding
• behaved
• disciplined
• polite
• biddable
• courteous
• servile
• obliging
• respectful
• well-bred
• proper
• subservient
• slavish
• ruly
• obsequious
• controllable
• decorous
• orderly
• manageable
• mannerly
• trainable
• kowtowing
• governable

2

as in recalcitrant

given to resisting control or discipline by others

believing that rules are only for other people, he's been refractory virtually his entire life

Synonyms & Similar Words

• recalcitrant
• stubborn
• intractable
• uncontrollable
• unmanageable
• out of hand
• rebellious
• unruly
• wayward
• willful
• ungovernable
• headstrong
• difficult
• naughty
• incontrollable
• obstinate
• untoward
• obdurate
• intransigent
• incorrigible
• stiff
• froward
• uncontrolled
• mulish
• insubordinate
• undisciplined
• disobedient
• hardheaded
• bullheaded
• pigheaded
• opinionated
• perverse
• contrary
• wild
• boisterous
• rowdy
• self-willed
• unpunished
• irrepressible
• stiff-necked
• rambunctious
• indocile
• misbehaving

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• controllable
• tractable
• manageable
• obedient
• docile
• compliant
• pliable
• submissive
• yielding
• governable
• responsive
• receptive
• well-behaved
• accepting
• willing
• reasonable
• temperate
• placable
• trainable
• persuadable

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective refractory differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of refractory are headstrong, intractable, recalcitrant, ungovernable, unruly, and willful. While all these words mean "not submissive to government or control," refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold.

special schools for refractory children

When can headstrong be used instead of refractory?

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

a headstrong young cavalry officer

Where would intractable be a reasonable alternative to refractory?

While in some cases nearly identical to refractory, intractable suggests stubborn resistance to guidance or control.

intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste dump

When would recalcitrant be a good substitute for refractory?

Although the words recalcitrant and refractory have much in common, recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority.

acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace

In what contexts can ungovernable take the place of refractory?

The meanings of ungovernable and refractory largely overlap; however, 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 unruly a more appropriate choice than refractory?

The synonyms unruly and refractory are sometimes interchangeable, 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 refractory?

The words willful and refractory are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, willful implies an obstinate determination to have one's own way.

a willful disregard for the rights of others

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of refractory

These warm hundreds of tonnes of refractory bricks to temperatures up to 1,500 °C. — IEEE Spectrum, 30 Oct. 2025

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

While cannabinoids offer a potential alternative for refractory chronic pain, optimal use requires personalized dosing and further high-quality trials targeting specific pain subtypes. — Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2025

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