recalcitrant

[ ri-kal-si-truhnt ]

See synonyms for recalcitrant on Thesaurus.com

adjective

resisting authority or control; not obedient or compliant; refractory.
hard to deal with, manage, or operate.

noun

a recalcitrant person.

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

synonym study For recalcitrant

1. See unruly.

Other words for recalcitrant

1	resistant, rebellious, opposed

See synonyms for recalcitrant on Thesaurus.com

Other words from recalcitrant

re·cal·ci·trance, re·cal·ci·tran·cy, noun
non·re·cal·ci·trance, noun
non·re·cal·ci·tran·cy, noun
non·re·cal·ci·trant, adjective
un·re·cal·ci·trant, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use recalcitrant in a sentence

I was excited to have a pony but disappointed that I couldn’t get near the recalcitrant equine.
There’s Always Some Killing You Got to Do On a Farm | Eugene Robinson | October 23, 2020 | Ozy
"They are not changing their mind," Ryan said, referring to Iranian leaders' recalcitrance to curb their program.
How Ryan Almost Made A Deal With Iran | Ali Gharib | October 12, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Thus the Iranian recalcitrance, and the ensuing cycle of both sides demanding major concessions before offering any reciprocity.
How Ryan Almost Made A Deal With Iran | Ali Gharib | October 12, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
She spelled “recalcitrance,” then “pernicious,” and after a halfhearted debate it was obvious that none of the three had a clue.
John Grisham's Debut Short Story | John Grisham | October 26, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST
The memorandum testifies to the strength of Bruce's hold on the country, and to the recalcitrance of Edward's barons.
King Robert the Bruce | A. F. Murison

I had not seen him, thanks to my extreme recalcitrance, since the month he spent more than two years ago in London.
The Letters of Henry James (volume I) | Henry James
His recalcitrance—she said—was a symptom of his whole attitude; he was taking it lying down.
The Forsyte Saga, Volume III. | John Galsworthy
Although critical of his department's performance, McNamara would probably admit that more than simple recalcitrance was involved.
Integration of the Armed Forces, 1940-1965 | Morris J. MacGregor, Jr.
I think Oswald justified it by means of his recalcitrance, kind of a reverse self-esteem.
Warren Commission (11 of 26): Hearings Vol. XI (of 15) | The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy

British Dictionary definitions for recalcitrant

recalcitrant

/ (rɪˈkælsɪtrənt) /

adjective

not susceptible to control or authority; refractory

noun

a recalcitrant person

Origin of recalcitrant

C19: via French from Latin recalcitrāre, from re- + calcitrāre to kick, from calx heel

Derived forms of recalcitrant

recalcitrance, noun

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

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