recalcitrant

[ri-kal-si-truhnt]

adjective

1. resisting authority or control; not obedient or compliant; refractory.

   Synonyms: opposed, rebellious, resistant

2. hard to deal with, manage, or operate.

noun

1. a recalcitrant person.

recalcitrant

/ rɪˈkælsɪtrənt /

adjective

1. not susceptible to control or authority; refractory

noun

1. a recalcitrant person

Other Word Forms

• recalcitrance noun
• recalcitrancy noun
• nonrecalcitrance noun
• nonrecalcitrancy noun
• nonrecalcitrant adjective
• unrecalcitrant adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of recalcitrant¹

First recorded in 1835–45; from Latin recalcitrant- (stem of recalcitrāns, present participle of recalcitrāre “to kick back”), equivalent to re- re- + calcitr(āre) “to strike with the heels, kick” (derivative of calx “heel”) + -ant- -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of recalcitrant¹

C19: via French from Latin recalcitrāre , from _re- + calcitrāre to kick, from calx heel

Synonym Study

See unruly.

Example Sentences

The administration’s tactics are a quick way to get around recalcitrant lawmakers but risk undermining the judiciary’s role as an independent branch of government, he said.

From Salon

Bessent's comments come after he called India a "bit recalcitrant" on trade negotiations in an interview with Fox Business on Tuesday.

From BBC

“As a career law enforcement officer and a career officer with ICE, I’ve been dealing with these recalcitrant countries for years,” said acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons.

From Los Angeles Times

These paths are already fomenting tension between Trump, who will not be visiting Israel on his Middle East trip, and a recalcitrant Netanyahu.

From Los Angeles Times

The Democrat from Virginia became a figurehead for the recalcitrant and aging wing of the party after leadership boosted his bid to serve as the party leader on the House Oversight Committee.

From Salon

Related Words

• fractious 
• obstinate 
• rebellious 
• unruly 
• wayward