intractable

[ in-trak-tuh-buhl ]
/ ɪnˈtræk tə bəl /
SEE 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.

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Origin of intractable

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

OTHER WORDS FROM intractable

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

Words nearby intractable

intracorporeal, intracranial, intracranial cavity, intracranial hemorrhage, intracranial pressure, intractable, intracutaneous, intracutaneous reaction, intracutaneous test, intrad, intraday
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to intractable

unmanageable, stubborn, intransigent, uncompromising, incurable, awkward, cantankerous, contrary, fractious, hard-line, headstrong, immovable, indomitable, insoluble, mulish, obdurate, obstinate, pat, pertinacious, perverse

Example sentences from the Web for intractable

British Dictionary definitions for intractable

intractable
/ (ɪnˈtræktəbəl) /

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 forms of intractable

intractability 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

Medical definitions for intractable

intractable
[ ĭn-trăk′tə-bəl ]

adj.

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

Other words from intractable

in•trac′ta•bil′i•ty n.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.