recalcitrant
rih-KAL-sih-trunt
/rɪˈkælsɪtrənt/
Having an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline.
Recalcitrant implies a stubborn, unyielding refusal to cooperate with rules, orders, or training. It is often used to describe difficult students, uncooperative employees, or stubborn animals.
The story behind the word. Imagine a stubborn mule refusing to walk, digging its hooves into the dirt and kicking back its heels. That is the literal Latin origin of recalcitrant—a mule kicking back against its master.
Word relationships
- stubborn: Stubborn is a general term for refusing to change one's mind, while recalcitrant specifically implies resisting authority or discipline.
- refractory: Refractory is a medical or technical term for something that does not respond to treatment, whereas recalcitrant is used for people or attitudes.
- compliant: Compliant means disposed to agree with others or obey rules.
- amenable: Amenable means open and responsive to suggestion; easily persuaded or controlled.
Commonly confused with
- reluctant: Reluctant means unwilling or hesitant, while recalcitrant means actively stubborn and disobedient.
Word family
- recalcitrance (noun): The state of being recalcitrant; stubborn resistance.
Collocations
- recalcitrant child
- recalcitrant employee
- recalcitrant attitude
- recalcitrant witness
Example sentences
- "He was a recalcitrant boy, refusing to learn his lessons or obey his tutors." A description of a stubborn child in a classic novel.
Memory hook
Think of a 're-calculator'—a GPS that stubbornly keeps saying 'recalculating' because you refuse to follow its directions. A recalcitrant mule kicks back its heels.
When not to use
Do not use recalcitrant to describe violent, armed rebels. It is best suited for stubborn, passive-aggressive, or uncooperative behavior.
Fun facts
- In chemistry, 'recalcitrant organic pollutants' are chemical compounds that are highly resistant to environmental degradation or decomposition.
Explore more words
Also appears in
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.