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
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
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Grade 12, List 4
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National Spelling Bee '14: Prelims Round 2
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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.
And where Amanda, confronted with a case that bears the well-publicized trademarks of the Whisper Man—as well as details never revealed in the press—is forced to go to the recalcitrant Pete for help.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
"If people understand why these species should be preserved, then our enforcement will only be complementary to those who decide to be recalcitrant."
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026
Now, Attorney General Andrea Campbell, a Democrat, is aggressively enforcing the statute against recalcitrant communities in the state.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 1, 2026
“The Justice Department covers the entire nation, and they have the resources to take on the most recalcitrant and stubborn state actors,” he explained.
From Slate ● Jul. 5, 2025
He had scolded Ifemelu as a child for being recalcitrant, mutinous, intransigent, words that made her little actions seem epic and almost prideworthy.
From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
