recalcitrant
Americanadjective
-
resisting authority or control; not obedient or compliant; refractory.
- Synonyms:
- opposed, rebellious, resistant
-
hard to deal with, manage, or operate.
noun
adjective
noun
Synonym Usage
See unruly.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of recalcitrant
First recorded in 1835–45; from Latin recalcitrant- (stem of recalcitrāns, present participle of recalcitrāre “to kick back”), equivalent to re- re- + calcitr(āre) “to strike with the heels, kick” (derivative of calx “heel”) + -ant- -ant
Explanation
If someone is so pig-headed that he won't budge on an issue, call him recalcitrant. Not that it will make a difference... Recalcitrant is from Latin calcitrare, meaning "to kick," so someone who is recalcitrant is kicking back against what's wanted of them. Synonyms are unruly, intractable, and refractory, all referring to what is difficult to manage or control. Writers are frequently referring to recalcitrant Democrats and Republicans, since many people are stubbornly loyal to their political parties and unwilling to change.
Vocabulary lists containing recalcitrant
300 Most Difficult "SAT" Words
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Grade 12, List 4
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
National Spelling Bee '14: Prelims Round 2
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Recalcitrant and recurring infections, be that UTIs, pneumonia, endocarditis, or diabetic foot ulcer infections, are often associated with biofilms," he said.
From Science Daily • Feb. 21, 2024
Recalcitrant countries have long been among the serious issues that didn’t get much attention, though the consequences can be extreme.
From Washington Times • May 16, 2017
Recalcitrant ones, like notorious "Typhoid Mary" Mallon of Manhattan, are forced into isolation.
From Time Magazine Archive
Recalcitrant Deputies were dragooned by an ancient device.
From Time Magazine Archive
Recalcitrant subjects had warning that the little man wearing the queue and the small, shiny boots, could not be bluffed.
From A Dream of Empire Or, The House of Blennerhassett by Venable, William Henry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
