Synonyms of intractable

intractable

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈtrak-tə-bəl 

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

• rebellious
• rebel
• stubborn
• defiant
• recalcitrant
• willful
• refractory
• ungovernable
• dogged
• obstreperous
• rigid
• contrary
• unruly
• balky
• contumacious
• restive
• insubordinate
• disobedient
• adamant
• wayward
• mischievous
• naughty
• unrelenting
• untoward
• uncontrollable
• resistant
• incompliant
• dissident
• wild
• uncooperative
• insurgent
• froward
• unmanageable
• bad
• rude
• obstinate
• obdurate
• implacable
• noncooperative
• recusant
• mutinous
• fractious
• mulish
• inflexible
• peevish
• immovable
• unbending
• unyielding
• opinionated
• uncompromising
• pertinacious
• negativistic
• hardheaded
• wrongheaded
• adamantine
• headstrong
• monkeying
• pigheaded
• perverse
• disorderly
• undisciplined
• self-willed
• ornery
• errant
• insolent
• impudent
• ungracious
• disrespectful
• discourteous
• uncivil
• uncouth
• impolite
• impertinent
• unmannerly
• inconsiderate
• nonconformist
• misbehaving
• monkeyish
• ill-mannered
• ill-natured
• ill-bred

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tractable
• amenable
• cooperative
• docile
• obedient
• compliant
• amiable
• conformable
• submissive
• agreeable
• deferential
• acquiescent
• behaved
• yielding
• biddable
• disciplined
• polite
• respectful
• courteous
• obliging
• well-bred
• ruly
• servile
• manageable
• obsequious
• subservient
• proper
• orderly
• slavish
• controllable
• decorous
• trainable
• mannerly
• governable
• kowtowing

2

as in stubborn

given to resisting control or discipline by others

cats are by nature fairly intractable animals

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stubborn
• unmanageable
• recalcitrant
• uncontrollable
• refractory
• difficult
• ungovernable
• unruly
• willful
• rebellious
• out of hand
• wayward
• headstrong
• intransigent
• incontrollable
• naughty
• untoward
• obstinate
• obdurate
• incorrigible
• mulish
• stiff
• uncontrolled
• froward
• hardheaded
• wild
• undisciplined
• opinionated
• bullheaded
• perverse
• pigheaded
• contrary
• unpunished
• irrepressible
• boisterous
• rowdy
• self-willed
• rambunctious
• insubordinate
• disobedient
• stiff-necked
• indocile
• misbehaving

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tractable
• manageable
• controllable
• obedient
• docile
• governable
• compliant
• pliable
• submissive
• yielding
• willing
• responsive
• receptive
• well-behaved
• reasonable
• accepting
• placable
• temperate
• trainable
• persuadable

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective intractable differ from other similar words?

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

intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste dump

When would headstrong be a good substitute for intractable?

The synonyms headstrong and intractable are sometimes interchangeable, but headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion.

a headstrong young cavalry officer

When is recalcitrant a more appropriate choice than intractable?

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

acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace

When can refractory be used instead of intractable?

While in some cases nearly identical to intractable, refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold.

special schools for refractory children

Where would ungovernable be a reasonable alternative to intractable?

The words ungovernable and intractable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 it sensible to use unruly instead of intractable?

The words unruly and intractable can be used in similar contexts, 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 intractable?

The meanings of willful and intractable largely overlap; however, willful implies an obstinate determination to have one's own way.

a willful disregard for the rights of others

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of intractable

Think of how intractable the conflicts in Northern Ireland or between Israel and Egypt once seemed. —Donald Heflin, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026

Apollo Records ambient-house longplayer impregnated with weed smoke, working simultaneously from the intractable computer logic of vintage IDM and the loose rules of a jam session. —Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 30 Mar. 2026

The state is a target of ceaseless social media and internet criticism, some of it far-fetched but, unfortunately, much of it is deserved, such as its seemingly intractable homelessness crisis. —Dan Walters, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026

When faced with an intractable problem, or with a person or movement that is malevolent in its very nature, fundamental rupture and daring rejection is required. —David Brooks, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026