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

Derived Forms

• reˈcalcitrance, noun

Other Words From

• re·calci·trance re·calci·tran·cy noun
• nonre·calci·trance noun
• nonre·calci·tran·cy noun
• nonre·calci·trant adjective
• unre·calci·trant 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

A recalcitrant Congress refused to pursue systemic reform, state and local governments were quickly overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the new arrivals, and Biden stubbornly refused to use emergency powers to unlock the requisite resources to manage the crisis.

From Slate

Unlike Israeli governments in the past, which sought reconciliation with a recalcitrant Palestinian leadership, the hard-right coalition led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cannot make the necessary compromises to enable regional peace.

From Los Angeles Times

Looking heavenward when accepting the award for best musical revival, Friedman was pleased to let Sondheim and Furth know that their recalcitrant masterpiece is now popular.

From Los Angeles Times

Biotech companies are searching for new enzymes that can digest recalcitrant substrates more efficiently than current bio-industrial processes allow, and new sources of enzymes that can open the structure of biomass residues are very important in growing this field.

From Science Daily

Donald Trump, now a convicted felon, has not been cowed or beaten back by the possibility of prison time – something that legal experts are suggesting is increasing in likelihood based on Trump’s recalcitrant and openly hostile and contemptuous behavior towards Judge Merchan, who presided over Trump’s New York criminal trial.

From Salon

Related Words

• fractious
• obstinate
• rebellious
• unruly
• wayward