intractable

[in-trak-tuh-buhl]

See more synonyms for intractable on Thesaurus.com

adjective

not easily controlled or directed; not docile or manageable; stubborn; obstinate: an intractable disposition.
(of things) hard to shape or work with: an intractable metal.
hard to treat, relieve, or cure: the intractable pain in his leg.

noun

an intractable person.

Origin of intractable

From the Latin word intractābilis, dating back to 1535–45. See in-³, tractable

Related formsin·trac·ta·bil·i·ty, in·trac·ta·ble·ness, nounin·trac·ta·bly, adverb

Synonyms

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com

1. perverse, headstrong, dogged, obdurate, stony, willful, froward. 1, 2. fractious, refractory, unbending, inflexible, adamant, unyielding. See unruly.

Antonyms

1. amiable. 1, 2. amenable, flexible.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for intractable

Contemporary Examples

Some express a feeling of hopelessness and that their intractable sadness will never abate.
'Genie, You're Free': Suicide Is Not Liberation
Russell Saunders
August 12, 2014
Unfortunately, this new study shows how intractable that problem truly is.
Anti-Vaxxers Will Fuel the Next Pandemic
Russell Saunders
May 7, 2014
The symptoms can show up as a wide array of intractable health problems.
Pizza Might Be Your Enemy
Daniela Drake
March 9, 2014
On the left, many see it as a civil rights issue–potentially ameliorating the problem of intractable poverty.
Best Business Longreads
William O’Connor
November 17, 2013
We cannot step back and believe that a less confrontational posture will lead to peace with intractable adversaries.
Goodbye, Blue: A Post-Obama Democratic Doctrine
Doug Schoen, Jessica Tarlov
November 15, 2013

Historical Examples

I attempted to laugh off his predictions, but he was intractable.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine -- Volume 57, No. 351, January 1845
Various
Intractable as he ever was; he won't die, and he won't resign.
Sir Brook Fossbrooke, Volume I.
Charles James Lever
"Well, it is humiliating enough," said the intractable Paganel.
In Search of the Castaways
Jules Verne
The father of the child says that at home he is violent, overbearing, and intractable.
Spontaneous Activity in Education
Maria Montessori
Boab was not intractable, but he was sagacious; he had been fed on that sort of chaff too long.
Acadia
Frederic S. Cozzens

British Dictionary definitions for intractable

intractable

adjective

difficult to influence or directan intractable disposition
(of a problem, illness, etc) difficult to solve, alleviate, or cure
difficult to shape or mould, esp with the hands

Derived Formsintractability or intractableness, nounintractably, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for intractable

adj.

c.1500, "rough, stormy;" 1540s, "not manageable," from Latin intractabilis "not to be handled, unmanageable," from in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + tractabilis (see tractable). Related: Intractably.

intractable in Medicine

intractable

(ĭn-trăk′tə-bəl)

adj.

Difficult to manage or govern; stubborn.
Difficult to alleviate, remedy, or cure.

Related formsin•trac′ta•bil′i•ty n.

intractable

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Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Examples from the Web for intractable

Contemporary Examples

Some express a feeling of hopelessness and that their intractable sadness will never abate.

Unfortunately, this new study shows how intractable that problem truly is.

The symptoms can show up as a wide array of intractable health problems.

On the left, many see it as a civil rights issue–potentially ameliorating the problem of intractable poverty.

We cannot step back and believe that a less confrontational posture will lead to peace with intractable adversaries.

Historical Examples

I attempted to laugh off his predictions, but he was intractable.

Intractable as he ever was; he won't die, and he won't resign.

"Well, it is humiliating enough," said the intractable Paganel.

The father of the child says that at home he is violent, overbearing, and intractable.

Boab was not intractable, but he was sagacious; he had been fed on that sort of chaff too long.

intractable

Word Origin and History for intractable

adj.

intractable

Origin of intractable