RECALCITRANT Synonyms: 142 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'recalcitrant' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of recalcitrant are headstrong , intractable , refractory , ungovernable , unruly , and willful . While all these words mean "not submissive to government or control," recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority. // acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace

Q: When is 'headstrong' a more appropriate choice than 'recalcitrant'?

The words headstrong and recalcitrant can be used in similar contexts, but headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion. // a headstrong young cavalry officer

Q: When might 'intractable' be a better fit than 'recalcitrant'?

While the synonyms intractable and recalcitrant are close in meaning, intractable suggests stubborn resistance to guidance or control. // intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste dump

Q: When could 'refractory' be used to replace 'recalcitrant'?

While in some cases nearly identical to recalcitrant , refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold. // special schools for refractory children

Q: Where would 'ungovernable' be a reasonable alternative to 'recalcitrant'?

Although the words ungovernable and recalcitrant have much in common, 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

Q: In what contexts can 'unruly' take the place of 'recalcitrant'?

The words unruly and recalcitrant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, unruly implies lack of discipline or incapacity for discipline and often connotes waywardness or turbulence of behavior. // unruly children

Q: When would 'willful' be a good substitute for 'recalcitrant'?

The synonyms willful and recalcitrant are sometimes interchangeable, but willful implies an obstinate determination to have one's own way. // a willful disregard for the rights of others

recalcitrant

adjective

ri-ˈkal-sə-trənt

Definition of recalcitrant next

as in rebellious

given to resisting authority or another's control the manager worried that the recalcitrant employee would try to undermine his authority

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in stubborn

given to resisting control or discipline by others a heart-to-heart talk with the recalcitrant youth revealed that he had a troubled life at home

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective recalcitrant differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of recalcitrant are headstrong, intractable, refractory, ungovernable, unruly, and willful. While all these words mean "not submissive to government or control," recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority.

acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace

When is headstrong a more appropriate choice than recalcitrant?

The words headstrong and recalcitrant can be used in similar contexts, but headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion.

a headstrong young cavalry officer

When might intractable be a better fit than recalcitrant?

While the synonyms intractable and recalcitrant are close in meaning, intractable suggests stubborn resistance to guidance or control.

intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste dump

When could refractory be used to replace recalcitrant?

While in some cases nearly identical to recalcitrant, refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold.

special schools for refractory children

Where would ungovernable be a reasonable alternative to recalcitrant?

Although the words ungovernable and recalcitrant have much in common, 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

In what contexts can unruly take the place of recalcitrant?

The words unruly and recalcitrant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, unruly implies lack of discipline or incapacity for discipline and often connotes waywardness or turbulence of behavior.

unruly children

When would willful be a good substitute for recalcitrant?

The synonyms willful and recalcitrant are sometimes interchangeable, but willful implies an obstinate determination to have one's own way.

a willful disregard for the rights of others

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of recalcitrant But even with much of its attention called to Asia, Washington cannot ignore a recalcitrant and revanchist adversary in Europe, especially not one that will pose a direct military threat to NATO members. —

Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2024 Crystal tells a tale of guest hosting The Tonight Show for Johnny Carson and having a recalcitrant guest in Mr. Cosell, despite the fact the two were friends. —

Bethy Squires, Vulture, 13 Dec. 2024 Nanny McPhee, a strict disciplinarian, clad in black, arrives uninvited to rid the recalcitrant children of their worst habits. —

Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 29 Nov. 2024 On the first day, the trio filmed one of the film’s iconic scenes, in which the pilot, Dr. Rumack (Mr. Nielsen), discovering that bad fish has poisoned the crew and most of the passengers, asks the recalcitrant Ted Striker (Robert Hays) for help. —

Clay Risen, New York Times, 28 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for recalcitrant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for recalcitrant

Adjective

The proposals infuriated members of the Freedom Caucus, many of whom had engaged in those kind of rebellious actions over the past two years.

— Emily Brooks, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025
Saturn, the planet of structure and discipline, adds a sense of responsibility while rebellious Uranus, the planet of innovation and change, inspires this Air sign to think outside the box and embrace individual freedom.

— Valerie Mesa, People.com, 21 Jan. 2025