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

Throughout his medical records, I can see glimpses of who my dad is, who he’s always been—a complex soul who can be both affable and combative, cooperative and recalcitrant, depending on his mood.

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“The fact that McDonnell and his staff are so recalcitrant — and are so reluctant — to do their jobs is shameful.”

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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.

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

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“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.

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Related Words

• fractious 
• obstinate 
• rebellious 
• unruly 
• wayward