recalcitrance

noun

re·​cal·​ci·​trance ri-ˈkal-sə-trən(t)s How to pronounce recalcitrance (audio)
: the state of being recalcitrant

Examples of recalcitrance in a Sentence

punished her recalcitrance by taking away her driving privileges
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But those prior instances of presidential recalcitrance — just two, spread out over 248 years — were narrow. Mattathias Schwartz, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025 The permitting reform that was supposed to pass in parallel with the climate bill never became law because of Republican recalcitrance and Democratic fears of incurring the wrath of environmentalists. Jason Furman, Foreign Affairs, 10 Feb. 2025 Some out-of-towners say crowding at the doors and refusing to move out of the way is part of ingrained New England recalcitrance. Mike Deehan, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025 That could irk some farmers, especially those at odds with John Deere over the company’s recalcitrance over self-repairs. Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 6 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for recalcitrance

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of recalcitrance was in 1856

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Cite this Entry

“Recalcitrance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recalcitrance. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

recalcitrance

noun
re·​cal·​ci·​trance ri-ˈkal-sə-trən(t)s How to pronounce recalcitrance (audio)
: the state of being recalcitrant

More from Merriam-Webster on recalcitrance

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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