intransigent

or in·tran·si·geant

[ in-tran-si-juhnt ]

adjective

1. refusing to agree or compromise; uncompromising; inflexible.

noun

1. a person who refuses to agree or compromise, as in politics.

intransigent

/ ɪnˈtrænsɪdʒənt /

adjective

1. not willing to compromise; obstinately maintaining an attitude

noun

1. an intransigent person, esp in politics

Derived Forms

• inˈtransigently, adverb
• inˈtransigence, noun

Other Words From

• in·transi·gence in·transi·gen·cy noun
• in·transi·gent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of intransigent¹

1875–80; < Spanish intransigente, equivalent to in- in- ³ + transigente (present participle of transigir to compromise) < Latin trānsigent- (stem of trānsigēns, present participle of trānsigere to come to an agreement); transact

Word History and Origins

Origin of intransigent¹

C19: from Spanish los intransigentes the uncompromising (ones), a name adopted by certain political extremists, from in- ¹+ transigir to compromise, from Latin transigere to settle; see transact

Example Sentences

Furthermore, the practice is tightly bound to the seemingly intransigent social marginalization of women.

From Los Angeles Times

David Strover, head of Trading Standards, said: "We repeatedly advised this business to amend their labelling, but they were intransigent and failed to act on our advice."

From BBC

Direct democracy was designed to ensure that citizens exercise their own ultimate authority over the law when intransigent politicians defy the popular will and establish unrepresentative rule.

From Slate

But the Kandahar-based leadership has remained intransigent, and there has been no public breaking of ranks with the supreme leader’s diktats.

From BBC

Decency and sanity demand that we address these catastrophes, however massive and intransigent.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adamant
• inflexible
• obstinate
• resolute
• stubborn