1
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
the manager worried that the recalcitrant employee would try to undermine his authority
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2
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
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Recent Examples of recalcitrant
Or does so only briefly in the ambiguous ending, when Sofia throws off the last vestiges of her passivity and forces her recalcitrant mother into a reckoning with her condition.
—
David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2025
In an interview from a factory floor in El Salvador on Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio argued that foreign aid spending does not support U.S. aims and that USAID, the main conduit for foreign assistance, has been recalcitrant.
—Bycatherine Offord, science.org, 5 Feb. 2025
The painstaking, patient diplomacy of the U.S. administration and its fellow mediators, Qatar and Egypt, has failed to push Israel and Hamas, and particularly their recalcitrant leaders, across the finish line.
—Andrew P. Miller, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2024
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Cabinet must approve it, and given the far-right, recalcitrant members of that group, approval is not guaranteed.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recalcitrant
David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2025
In an interview from a factory floor in El Salvador on Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio argued that foreign aid spending does not support U.S. aims and that USAID, the main conduit for foreign assistance, has been recalcitrant.
—Bycatherine Offord, science.org, 5 Feb. 2025
The painstaking, patient diplomacy of the U.S. administration and its fellow mediators, Qatar and Egypt, has failed to push Israel and Hamas, and particularly their recalcitrant leaders, across the finish line.
—Andrew P. Miller, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2024
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Cabinet must approve it, and given the far-right, recalcitrant members of that group, approval is not guaranteed.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recalcitrant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recalcitrant
Adjective
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Stefani’s style influences and stage presence have long catered to a rebellious punk-forward aesthetic.—
WWD Staff,
WWD,
20 Mar. 2025
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Still retaining the playful, rebellious connotations of the first M.A.D. Editions, the new M.A.D. 2 has another spirit. Passport: Explore the finest destinations and experiences around the world in the Forbes Passport newsletter.—
Roberta Naas,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Happy Birthday for Saturday, March 29, 2025: You are opinionated and stubborn.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2025
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Described by family as larger-than-life in personality and stature, the 6-foot-5-inch Wesley is remembered as a jovial, fiercely stubborn man with a quick wit and passion for advocacy.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Her character evolves throughout the series from a superficial adherent to the Capitol’s cruel system to a rebel sympathizer who comes to care deeply for Katniss and Peeta, representing the potential for change even among those benefiting from oppression. 10.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Mar. 2025
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In January, the conflict sharply escalated, as Rwandan troops and their M23 rebel allies took control of Bukavu and Goma, the biggest city in eastern Congo.—
Jason K. Stearns,
TIME,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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An important part of the committee’s decision has to do with the way in which an intractable, traumatic, complex, and long-standing conflict is approached through the art of comedy.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
16 Mar. 2025
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Some things in a difficult job can be resolved or eased, while others will be intractable.—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Related article Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers make defiant speech after winning best documentary Oscar For Ballal, the assault – and Netanyahu’s moves – are even more of a reason to continue to fight for his community.—
Kareem Khadder,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2025
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Two months into his term, President Trump is growing more defiant, creative and ruthless in his pursuit of a central campaign promise: exacting revenge on his political enemies.—
Zachary Basu,
Axios,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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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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It is meant to treat only people with refractory myeloma.—
Sarah Hudgens,
Health,
23 Sep. 2024
Adjective
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Palud follows the same aberration when Being Maria tracks Schneider’s descent into heroin addiction, her wayward film career, family turmoil, and bisexuality.—
Armond White,
National Review,
28 Mar. 2025
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For 109 years, Florida sent wayward boys from across the state to Dozier — and the series chronicled the men who survived the school and demanded acknowledgment, resolution and reparation.—
Yacob Reyes,
Axios,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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These fires and any new fires that ignite today can very quickly become uncontrollable.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
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According to the National Institute of Mental Health, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, is a disorder where people have uncontrollable and recurring thoughts or repetitive behaviors, or both.—
Elizabeth Stanton,
Fox News,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Recalcitrant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recalcitrant. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
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