REFRACTORY Synonyms: 142 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'refractory' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of refractory are headstrong , intractable , recalcitrant , ungovernable , unruly , and willful . While all these words mean "not submissive to government or control," refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold. // special schools for refractory children

Q: When can 'headstrong' be used instead of 'refractory'?

The words headstrong and refractory can be used in similar contexts, but headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion. // a headstrong young cavalry officer

Q: Where would 'intractable' be a reasonable alternative to 'refractory'?

While in some cases nearly identical to refractory , intractable suggests stubborn resistance to guidance or control. // intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste dump

Q: When would 'recalcitrant' be a good substitute for 'refractory'?

Although the words recalcitrant and refractory have much in common, recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority. // acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace

Q: In what contexts can 'ungovernable' take the place of 'refractory'?

The meanings of ungovernable and refractory largely overlap; however, ungovernable implies either an escape from control or guidance or a state of being unsubdued and incapable of controlling oneself or being controlled by others. // ungovernable rage

Q: When is 'unruly' a more appropriate choice than 'refractory'?

The synonyms unruly and refractory are sometimes interchangeable, but unruly implies lack of discipline or incapacity for discipline and often connotes waywardness or turbulence of behavior. // unruly children

Q: When could 'willful' be used to replace 'refractory'?

The words willful and refractory are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, willful implies an obstinate determination to have one's own way. // a willful disregard for the rights of others

refractory

adjective

ri-ˈfrak-t(ə-)rē $How to pronounce refractory (audio)$

Definition of refractory next

as in rebellious

given to resisting authority or another's control refractory players will be ejected from the game

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as in stubborn

given to resisting control or discipline by others believing that rules are only for other people, he's been refractory virtually his entire life

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How does the adjective refractory differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of refractory are headstrong, intractable, recalcitrant, ungovernable, unruly, and willful. While all these words mean "not submissive to government or control," refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold.

special schools for refractory children

When can headstrong be used instead of refractory?

The words headstrong and refractory can be used in similar contexts, but headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion.

a headstrong young cavalry officer

Where would intractable be a reasonable alternative to refractory?

While in some cases nearly identical to refractory, intractable suggests stubborn resistance to guidance or control.

intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste dump

When would recalcitrant be a good substitute for refractory?

Although the words recalcitrant and refractory have much in common, recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority.

acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace

In what contexts can ungovernable take the place of refractory?

The meanings of ungovernable and refractory largely overlap; however, ungovernable implies either an escape from control or guidance or a state of being unsubdued and incapable of controlling oneself or being controlled by others.

ungovernable rage

When is unruly a more appropriate choice than refractory?

The synonyms unruly and refractory are sometimes interchangeable, but unruly implies lack of discipline or incapacity for discipline and often connotes waywardness or turbulence of behavior.

unruly children

When could willful be used to replace refractory?

The words willful and refractory are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, willful implies an obstinate determination to have one's own way.

a willful disregard for the rights of others

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of refractory While cannabinoids offer a potential alternative for refractory chronic pain, optimal use requires personalized dosing and further high-quality trials targeting specific pain subtypes. —

Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2025 It is meant to treat only people with refractory myeloma. —

Sarah Hudgens, Health, 23 Sep. 2024 Similar to refractory bricks, firebricks can store heat or insulate, depending on what they’re made from. —

New Atlas, 5 Aug. 2024 This current study extends the successful results previously published on the virus-free preparation of CD19-specific CAR T-cells against refractory B cell malignancies utilizing Applied DNA's Linea™ DNA. —

Kansas City Star, 13 May 2024 See All Example Sentences for refractory

Recent Examples of Synonyms for refractory

Adjective

Your 6th House of Labor hosts mental Mercury, which squares rebellious Uranus in your 9th House of Journeys, stirring tension between tradition and modernization.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
Lang went on to appear in most of Fuller’s films, including playing a rebellious German countess in his 1980 war epic The Big Red One, and several by their friend Wim Wenders.

— Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2026

Definition of rebellious

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refractoriness

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refrain

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“Refractory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refractory. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 12 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of refractory

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