refractory

1 of 2

adjective

re·​frac·​to·​ry ri-ˈfrak-t(ə-)rē How to pronounce refractory (audio)
1
: resisting control or authority : stubborn, unmanageable
2
a
: resistant to treatment or cure
a refractory lesion
b
: unresponsive to stimulus
c
: immune, insusceptible
after recovery they were refractory to infection
3
: difficult to fuse, corrode, or draw out
especially : capable of enduring high temperature
refractorily
ri-ˈfrak-t(ə-)rə-lē How to pronounce refractory (audio)
ˌrē-ˌfrak-ˈtȯr-ə-lē
ri-
adverb
refractoriness noun

refractory

2 of 2

noun

plural refractories
: a refractory person or thing
especially : a heat-resisting ceramic material

Did you know?

Refractory is from the Latin word refractarius. During the 17th century, it was sometimes spelled as refractary, but that spelling, though more in keeping with its Latin parent, had fallen out of use by the century's end. Refractarius, like refractory, is the result of a slight variation in spelling. It stems from the Latin verb refragari, meaning "to oppose."

Choose the Right Synonym for refractory

unruly, ungovernable, intractable, refractory, recalcitrant, willful, headstrong mean not submissive to government or control.

unruly implies lack of discipline or incapacity for discipline and often connotes waywardness or turbulence of behavior.

unruly children

ungovernable implies either an escape from control or guidance or a state of being unsubdued and incapable of controlling oneself or being controlled by others.

ungovernable rage

intractable suggests stubborn resistance to guidance or control.

intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste dump

refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold.

special schools for refractory children

recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority.

acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace

willful implies an obstinate determination to have one's own way.

a willful disregard for the rights of others

headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion.

a headstrong young cavalry officer

Examples of refractory in a Sentence

Adjective refractory players will be ejected from the game believing that rules are only for other people, he's been refractory virtually his entire life
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
It is meant to treat only people with refractory myeloma. Sarah Hudgens, Health, 23 Sep. 2024 Similar to refractory bricks, firebricks can store heat or insulate, depending on what they’re made from. New Atlas, 5 Aug. 2024
Noun
The drugs treat an autoimmune disease, thyroid eye disease, and an inflammatory condition, chronic refractory gout. Rebecca Robbins, BostonGlobe.com, 16 May 2023 Dolastatin 10-based ADCs have been approved for treatment of different lymphomas and refractory bladder cancer. Brittany Edelmann, Discover Magazine, 14 Oct. 2022 See all Example Sentences for refractory 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

alteration of refractary, from Latin refractarius, irregular from refragari to oppose, from re- + -fragari (as in suffragari to support with one's vote)

First Known Use

Adjective

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1627, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of refractory was in 1606

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Dictionary Entries Near refractory

Cite this Entry

“Refractory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refractory. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

refractory

adjective
re·​frac·​to·​ry
ri-ˈfrakt(ə-)rē
1
: resisting control or authority : stubborn
a refractory child
2
: resistant to treatment : unresponsive
3
: capable of enduring high temperatures
refractoriness
-t(ə-)rē-nəs
noun

Medical Definition

refractory

adjective
re·​frac·​to·​ry ri-ˈfrak-t(ə-)rē How to pronounce refractory (audio)
1
: resistant to treatment or cure
a refractory fulminant lesion
had disease that was extremely refractory to multiple intensive therapiesMichelle L. Bennett et al.
2
: unresponsive to stimulus
the refractory period of a muscle fiber
3
: resistant or not responding to an infectious agent : immune
refractory to reinfection

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