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

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

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Recent Examples of recalcitrant In an interview from a factory floor in El Salvador on Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio argued that foreign aid spending does not support U.S. aims and that USAID, the main conduit for foreign assistance, has been recalcitrant. —Bycatherine Offord, science.org, 5 Feb. 2025 The painstaking, patient diplomacy of the U.S. administration and its fellow mediators, Qatar and Egypt, has failed to push Israel and Hamas, and particularly their recalcitrant leaders, across the finish line. —Andrew P. Miller, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2024 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Cabinet must approve it, and given the far-right, recalcitrant members of that group, approval is not guaranteed. —Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for recalcitrant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for recalcitrant

Adjective

But in 1862, Congress declared that any slave with a rebellious master who reached federal lines would be free.

— Barbara Spindel, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Mar. 2025
Mickey, tasked with keeping her rebellious sister in line, never had the opportunity to be a kid.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 12 Mar. 2025