1
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
the manager worried that the recalcitrant employee would try to undermine his authority
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2
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
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Recent Examples of recalcitrant
According to Cartwright, both recalcitrant and cooperative countries have seen reductions in border encounters, regardless of deportation flights.
—
Rafael Bernal, The Hill, 10 Jan. 2025
These are often referred to as recalcitrant countries.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
Surely even the most recalcitrant of Emmy voters will have a hard time resisting a performance this impeccably showy.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for recalcitrant
Rafael Bernal, The Hill, 10 Jan. 2025
These are often referred to as recalcitrant countries.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
Surely even the most recalcitrant of Emmy voters will have a hard time resisting a performance this impeccably showy.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for recalcitrant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recalcitrant
Adjective
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The wildly rebellious press across Europe are a vibrant sign of its free speech.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN,
14 Feb. 2025
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Luna will meet with rebellious Uranus in a surprising trine, bringing a jolt of excitement and unexpected revelations to your love life.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Still facing a stubborn staffing crunch, the New York City Department of Correction will require officers to work mandatory 12-hour tours in a number of city jails, a move immediately criticized by their union.—
Graham Rayman,
New York Daily News,
21 Feb. 2025
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The financial outlook from nation’s largest retailer, which has thrived amid stubborn inflation, delivered a jolt across the retail sector.—
Anne D’Innocenzio,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The rebel group’s capture of swathes of the east and valuable mineral deposits has fanned fears of a wider war.—
Reuters,
CNN,
24 Feb. 2025
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When militants led by the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham reached Damascus last December, the capital fell without a fight.—
Marwan Muasher,
Foreign Affairs,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The bottom line: Plastic waste continues to be an intractable problem, but some startups are developing new tech to help.—
Katie Fehrenbacher,
Axios,
20 Feb. 2025
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The overwhelming majority are for people with terminal illnesses, mostly cancer, with a smaller number for people who have other nonterminal conditions that cause acute suffering — such as neurodegenerative disease or intractable depression.—
Stephanie Nolen,
New York Times,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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That’s a defiant stance for a horror movie to take.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
21 Feb. 2025
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Pierce answered all of them in resounding, almost defiant, fashion.—
James Boyd,
The Athletic,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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While cannabinoids offer a potential alternative for refractory chronic pain, optimal use requires personalized dosing and further high-quality trials targeting specific pain subtypes.—
Tribune Content Agency,
The Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2025
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It is meant to treat only people with refractory myeloma.—
Sarah Hudgens,
Health,
23 Sep. 2024
Adjective
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For years, European leaders have fretted about reducing their dependence on a wayward United States.—
Mark Landler,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2025
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The shorts, led by some wayward sell-side analysts, didn’t realize that Noto is turning this into one of the sainted fintechs out there, like a Block (formerly Square) or a PayPal or an Affirm .—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The most dramatic case study occurred this week, when Trump signed two executive orders instituting a tariff regime on goods entering the United States from Canada and Mexico in response to what the White House argues is an uncontrollable scourge of migrants and drugs coming from those countries.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2025
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These high winds, combined with low humidity, have created a significant fire weather risk, with forecasters warning that any ignition could lead to fast-growing, uncontrollable fires.—
Hannah Parry,
Newsweek,
7 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Recalcitrant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recalcitrant. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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