refractory
3 synonyms and 6 antonyms for refractory, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Stubborn and difficult to control, refusing to do what is wanted.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Stubborn and difficult to control, refusing to do what is wanted.
Opposites
2. adj
Able to withstand very high temperatures without being damaged.
“There are also over 1,200 pallet brick wagons used for the conveyance of refractory bricks.”
Opposites
Etymology
Comes from Latin refractārius ("obstinate"), from refrāctus, the past participle of refringere ("to break up"). It was originally spelled refractary, refractarie, but was later reanalysed to match other adjectives ending in -ory.
Full origin of refractory →