RECALCITRANT Synonyms: 142 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

recalcitrant

adjective

ri-ˈkal-sə-trənt

Definition of recalcitrant next

as in rebellious

given to resisting authority or another's control the manager worried that the recalcitrant employee would try to undermine his authority

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in stubborn

given to resisting control or discipline by others a heart-to-heart talk with the recalcitrant youth revealed that he had a troubled life at home

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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 Just as most sectors of white-collar management have proved more recalcitrant to de-skilling than manual labor, so too the intellectual work of the art historian and critic has taken somewhat longer to de-skill than its avant-garde counterparts.15 But for Buchloh, that moment has come. —

Gordon Hughes, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2024 Moreover, reading Powers in this more difficult, demanding way affirms the imperative that Literature—recalcitrant in its ideas, characters, and storylines—should invite and sustain more of and from its readers. —

Randy Boyagoda, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2024 Leaders in more recalcitrant countries must understand that their inaction will adversely affect their relationship with the United States. —

Steven Herz, Foreign Affairs, 25 Nov. 2020 Craft services tables were piled with soda cans and snack bags, PAs with clipboards attempted to reroute recalcitrant pedestrians, techs held aloft parachute-sized plane reflectors to capture the light. —

Brett Berk, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for recalcitrant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for recalcitrant

Adjective

Unconventional and futuristic, Aquarius pushes us to break free from tradition, encouraging bold, rebellious choices in our wardrobe.

Valerie Mesa, People.com, 8 Dec. 2024
Tomás forbids it, but Paja, in the style of rebellious teens and younger siblings everywhere, ignores him.

Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Dec. 2024