1
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
the manager worried that the recalcitrant employee would try to undermine his authority
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2
as in stubborn
given to resisting control or discipline by others
a heart-to-heart talk with the recalcitrant youth revealed that he had a troubled life at home
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Recent Examples of recalcitrant
With Iranian power and influence waning, and with the challenges of an ascendant China and a recalcitrant Russia necessarily dominating the American national security agenda, indifference may appear to be the most appealing option for Washington.
—
Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2025
In that case, the Saudis would bring greater pressure to be on their recalcitrant partners.
—Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
The first two questions would streamline approvals for housing developments, while the third would establish an Affordable Housing Appeals Board that could override a recalcitrant City Council.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 25 July 2025
Whitmer and recalcitrant lawmakers deserve an equal share of the blame for the lame duck flameout.
—M.l. Elrick, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for recalcitrant
Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2025
In that case, the Saudis would bring greater pressure to be on their recalcitrant partners.
—Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
The first two questions would streamline approvals for housing developments, while the third would establish an Affordable Housing Appeals Board that could override a recalcitrant City Council.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 25 July 2025
Whitmer and recalcitrant lawmakers deserve an equal share of the blame for the lame duck flameout.
—M.l. Elrick, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for recalcitrant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recalcitrant
Adjective
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According to the researchers, teenage men tend to favor intense, rebellious genres that fuel identity and independence in a phase that peaks early.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
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But the couple have yet to conceive an heir, so when Jerome absconds and his dashing friend Manfred (Galitzine) arrives with dastardly intentions, Hero (Corrin), Cherry’s wily and loyal maid, is forced to concoct a plan to distract Manfred by telling captivating stories about rebellious women.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Month over month, that would be the same stubborn pace that has persisted for more than two years.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
24 Oct. 2025
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Results show that microbial iron mining can immobilize toxic metals and convert stubborn pollutants into less harmful compounds.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The 64-year-old actor famously portrays rebel leader Morpheus, captain of the Nebuchadnezzar, in the hit sci-fi action film franchise.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
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The palace officials assured them the president was there, hashing out a plan with his military and Russian and Iranian advisers to confront the advancing rebel forces.—
Danny Makki,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The seemingly intractable situation has resulted in one of the longest shutdowns in American history.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
19 Oct. 2025
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Prisons hide away many of society’s most intractable problems—violence, mental illness, addiction—but the officers who work inside spend their days face to face with them.—
Jennifer Gonnerman,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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On Monday afternoon, Petro remained defiant.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
21 Oct. 2025
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This Irish American neighborhood is famous for its quirky upside-down traffic light, where green proudly sits above red—a symbol of its defiant community spirit.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This is, by far, the most common TES approach in industry, with most companies using legacy technologies like refractory bricks and molten salt to store heat in insulated shipping containers.—
Erik Kobayashi-Solomon,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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This is due to a rare condition called refractory celiac disease, which requires specialized treatment.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
19 July 2025
Adjective
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Fortunately, many of us live in communities of fellow pet lovers who are willing and ready to keep an eye out for wayward animals.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
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Tennessee’s big cats are mostly of the bobcat variety, but one wayward mountain lion captured the state’s attention.—
Mackensy Lunsford,
Nashville Tennessean,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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What’s curious, then, is not Trump’s eagerness to degrade us, but his uncontrollable urge to defile himself and his office.—
Michelle Goldberg,
Mercury News,
23 Oct. 2025
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When he was hired, Hazimeh told supervisors he had been diagnosed with anxiety, resulting in an uncontrollable nervous tic.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Recalcitrant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recalcitrant. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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