adjective
recalcitrant
ri-KAL-si-truhnt
Recalcitrant (adjective) means Stubbornly refusing to obey authority, follow rules or cooperate, even under pressure. Example: “A handful of recalcitrant members refused to sign the agreement.”
adjective
1
Stubbornly refusing to obey authority, follow rules or cooperate, even under pressure.
"A handful of recalcitrant members refused to sign the agreement."
"She was a recalcitrant pupil who spent more time outside the head's office than in class."
2
Of a thing or material: resistant to being handled, treated or worked with.
"The recalcitrant lock finally gave way to a squirt of oil."
"Recalcitrant seeds cannot be dried and frozen for storage."
noun
1
formal A person who refuses to comply.
"The committee had no sanctions to use against recalcitrants."
How to use recalcitrant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRefusing to do what you are told, however much you are pushed.
When to use it
Formal; common in journalism, law and management writing.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
recalcitrant employee
recalcitrant states
prove recalcitrant
recalcitrant debtor
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A handful of _____ members refused to sign the agreement.
Etymology
From Latin recalcitrare 'to kick back', from re- 'back' and calx, calcis 'heel' — originally used of mules kicking out against the rider.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between recalcitrant and stubborn?
Stubborn describes anyone who will not change their mind about anything. Recalcitrant specifically involves resisting authority, instruction or control, so it needs someone or something to be defying. A recalcitrant employee defies management; a stubborn one may simply prefer their own way.
What is the difference between recalcitrant and reluctant?
Reluctant means unwilling but usually still doing the thing. Recalcitrant means actively refusing and resisting. A reluctant witness testifies badly; a recalcitrant witness does not testify at all.
How do you pronounce recalcitrant?
ri-KAL-si-truhnt, with the stress on the second syllable. The c in the middle is a hard k sound.
What is the meaning of recalcitrant?
"recalcitrant" (adjective) means stubbornly refusing to obey authority, follow rules or cooperate, even under pressure.
