recalcitrance

noun

re·​cal·​ci·​trance ri-ˈkal-sə-trən(t)s How to pronounce recalcitrance (audio)
: the state of being recalcitrant

Examples of recalcitrance in a Sentence

punished her recalcitrance by taking away her driving privileges
Recent Examples on the Web But recalcitrance among the top brass continued to thwart meaningful change. Sarah A. Topol, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2024 Trying to figure out how to deal with a man whose seems more wired for recalcitrance than responsiveness. Monica Hesse, Washington Post, 11 July 2024 With the state’s Opioid Settlement Advisory Board meeting last week to hash out recommendations for allocating tens of millions of dollars in settlement funds for opioid relief, the state’s recalcitrance keeps the option of funding OPCs off the table. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 21 May 2024 Reform efforts founder in the face of bureaucratic recalcitrance. Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2023 See all Example Sentences for recalcitrance 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'recalcitrance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of recalcitrance was in 1856

Dictionary Entries Near recalcitrance

Cite this Entry

“Recalcitrance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recalcitrance. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

recalcitrance

noun
re·​cal·​ci·​trance ri-ˈkal-sə-trən(t)s How to pronounce recalcitrance (audio)
: the state of being recalcitrant

More from Merriam-Webster on recalcitrance

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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