Recalcitrant

Quick meaning: Recalcitrant is an adjective meaning Marked by a stubborn unwillingness to obey authority.

Meaning

Marked by a stubborn unwillingness to obey authority.

More Meanings

1. Unwilling to cooperate socially.
2. Difficult to deal with or to operate.
3. (botany, of seed, pollen, spores) Not viable for an extended period; damaged by drying or freezing.
4. A person who is recalcitrant.

Example Sentences

His nimble fancy was recalcitrant to mental discipline.

The incentive to this first-class performance was a 14 min. late start from Hellifield, due to a recalcitrant van door which could not be properly secured.

There was something in her manner so reminiscent of the school teacher reprimanding a recalcitrant pupil that Mr. Snyder's sense of humor came to his rescue.

Kenya's official "Cowan Plan," named after a colonial prison administrator, decreed that recalcitrant prisoners "be manhandled to the site and forced to carry out the task."

Word Forms

• recalcitrants

Synonyms for recalcitrant

Depending on context, synonyms include argumentative, rebellious, stubborn, unruly, adversarial, obstreperous.

Antonyms for recalcitrant

Common opposites include compliant, obedient, amenable, cooperative, eager, orthodox.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include refractory, intractable, stubborn, diehard, intransigent, reluctant.

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