1
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
an intractable child who deliberately does the opposite of whatever he is told
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stubborn
given to resisting control or discipline by others
cats are by nature fairly intractable animals
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of intractable
The issue of a ceasefire is where the intractable differences are clearest.
—
Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
Unemployment fueling instability While African political campaigns often make note of persistently high rates of youth unemployment, the policy priorities of governments across the continent have seemingly failed to fix this intractable problem.
—Richard Aidoo, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2025
That has stood for years now as the intractable, hardened opinion of many basketball fans in what probably is the ultimate modern example of sports’ culture of argument and debate.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025
Perhaps the city’s current crises—crumbling public infrastructure, intractable civic strife, the President’s attempts to strangle his home town—have reminded New Yorkers of a different period of chaos, when Cuomo seemed a beacon of sanity.
—Eric Lach, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for intractable
Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
Unemployment fueling instability While African political campaigns often make note of persistently high rates of youth unemployment, the policy priorities of governments across the continent have seemingly failed to fix this intractable problem.
—Richard Aidoo, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2025
That has stood for years now as the intractable, hardened opinion of many basketball fans in what probably is the ultimate modern example of sports’ culture of argument and debate.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025
Perhaps the city’s current crises—crumbling public infrastructure, intractable civic strife, the President’s attempts to strangle his home town—have reminded New Yorkers of a different period of chaos, when Cuomo seemed a beacon of sanity.
—Eric Lach, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for intractable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intractable
Adjective
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Many historians estimate that at least 15 to 20 percent of the population remained loyal to the crown, some even taking up arms against their rebellious neighbors and fighting alongside the British.—
Greg Daugherty,
Smithsonian Magazine,
4 June 2025
-
Inspired by 1953’s The Wild One starring Marlon Brando, the song and video captures the rebellious spirit of the cult classic, with scenes of a motorcycle being driven on an open road and birds in flight.—
Althea Legaspi,
Rolling Stone,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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Their relationship can be difficult as AM is stubborn and likes to have her way always.—
Carolyn Rosenblatt,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
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Rick McConnell said that this sounds like his mom, who is stubborn.—
Bella Waters,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
Yet none of this has dampened Mr. Trump’s enthusiasm for bringing U.S. influence to bear in trying to end the rebel incursion – in part because the fighting has affected a region that holds some of Congo’s main rare earth deposits.—
Ned Temko,
Christian Science Monitor,
12 June 2025
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The legislature entertained several bills—including two from Sumner—to authorize the government to seize rebel property, including slaves.—
Zaakir Tameez
June 11,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2025
Adjective
-
Suddenly, all their various projects seemed unmanageable.—
Jayson Greene,
Vulture,
30 May 2025
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What To Know New data from Experian revealed that Gen X and millennials were far more likely to have unmanageable debt than other generations.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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Kim Kardashian made a defiant walk into Paris' Palace of Justice in May, to face the criminals who held the reality star at gunpoint and robbed in 2016.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
6 June 2025
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In an era defined by digital speed, algorithmic curation, and disposable listening, Gearbox Records has carved out a defiant space for intentionality, sonic depth, and analog fidelity.—
Steve Baltin,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
In response, these recalcitrant members of Congress simply refused to adopt must-pass federal reapportionment legislation.—
Made by History,
Time,
2 Apr. 2025
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Among Congressional Republicans, Paul has been more recalcitrant than most.—
Eric Cortellessa,
TIME,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Grading for equity amounts to willful and moralized deception, including self-deception.—
The Editors,
National Review,
29 May 2025
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Hur, who was respectful of the aging president, declined to prosecute Joe Biden for his willful retention of classified documents found in Biden’s non-secure home garage.—
Matt Klink,
Oc Register,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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His uncontrollable emotions led to misbehavior at Liberty High School, and Charles was moved to the Department of Youth Services in a residential treatment program to correct his behavior.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
31 May 2025
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Rap is banned in Iran due to its critical content, its uncontrollable means of distribution, and its direct opposition to the regime’s official values, including the rejection of religious and ideological themes.—
Ali Farahmand,
IndieWire,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Intractable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intractable. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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