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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
Adjective
  • The stubborn machine has won, and politicians are, for the most part, just fodder, which means that every politician who has to stand in front of a camera after a tragedy turns into another battle site in an endless culture war.
    Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Coaches will tell you of a character who could be grumpy or stubborn, but also of someone who needed faith shown in him.
    The Athletic UK Staff, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The brand thrives on a rebel heart, embracing individuality, audacity, and the freedom to exist beyond conventional boundaries.
    Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Lower shows how the same drive that manifests as ruthlessness in outie Helena becomes rebel fierceness in innie Helly.
    James Poniewozik, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Solve previously intractable problems, such as hyper-personalizing real-time customer experiences.
    Jason Snyder, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
  • The most intractable questions have also been the most critical: Who will pay for what, and whether the treaty will set mandatory production caps or allow countries to set and abide by their own voluntary targets.
    Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • But the former Fox News host struck a defiant tone as support for his confirmation appeared to be in doubt and Mr. Trump stood behind his pick.
    Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2025
  • In hindsight the music was invincible: defiant, purposeful, rightfully confident in its breakthroughs.
    Jon Pareles, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
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, New Atlas, 5 Aug. 2024
Adjective
  • The wayward cats would have to be left behind. Before getting in the car, Heidi had flung open the front door, hoping the lost cats would find their way out.
    Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Then, as Blue Origin got deeper into the countdown, a wayward boat strayed into the keep-out zone around the launch site.
    Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Celebrities such as Tina Knowles and Jhené Aiko have shared total losses due to the uncontrollable flames.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Despite a long and uncontrollable process of detaching herself from family, friends, and even her husband, she was told by doctors that everything was fine.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025

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Thesaurus Entries Near recalcitrant

Cite this Entry

“Recalcitrant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recalcitrant. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

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