intractable

[ in-trak-tuh-buhl ]
See synonyms for: intractableintractabilityintractablenessintractably on Thesaurus.com

adjective
  1. not easily controlled or directed; not docile or manageable; stubborn; obstinate: an intractable disposition.

  2. (of things) hard to shape or work with: an intractable metal.

  1. hard to treat, relieve, or cure: the intractable pain in his leg.

noun
  1. an intractable person.

Origin of intractable

1
From the Latin word intractābilis, dating back to 1535–45. See in-3, tractable

synonym study For intractable

1, 2. See unruly.

Other words for intractable

Opposites for intractable

Other words from intractable

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

Words Nearby intractable

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use intractable in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for intractable

intractable

/ (ɪnˈtræktəbəl) /


adjective
  1. difficult to influence or direct: an intractable disposition

  2. (of a problem, illness, etc) difficult to solve, alleviate, or cure

  1. difficult to shape or mould, esp with the hands

Derived forms of intractable

  • intractability or intractableness, noun
  • intractably, 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