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recalcitrant

re·cal·ci·trant
R r

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [ri-kal-si-truh nt]
    • /rɪˈkæl sɪ trənt/
    • /rɪˈkæl.sɪ.trənt/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [ri-kal-si-truh nt]
    • /rɪˈkæl sɪ trənt/

Definitions of recalcitrant word

  • adjective recalcitrant resisting authority or control; not obedient or compliant; refractory. 1
  • adjective recalcitrant hard to deal with, manage, or operate. 1
  • noun recalcitrant a recalcitrant person. 1
  • adjective recalcitrant reluctant, uncooperative 1
  • adjective recalcitrant If you describe someone or something as recalcitrant, you mean that they are unwilling to obey orders or are difficult to deal with. 0
  • adjective recalcitrant not susceptible to control or authority; refractory 0

Information block about the term

Origin of recalcitrant

First appearance:

before 1835
One of the 34% newest English words
1835-45; < Latin recalcitrant- (stem of recalcitrāns, present participle of recalcitrāre to kick back), equivalent to re- re- + calcitr(āre) to strike with the heels, kick (derivative of calx heel) + -ant- -ant

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Recalcitrant

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

recalcitrant popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 63% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

recalcitrant usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for recalcitrant

adj recalcitrant

  • against the grain — contrary to one's feelings, nature, wishes, etc.; irritating or displeasing
  • anarchistic — An anarchistic person believes in anarchism. Anarchistic activity or literature promotes anarchism.
  • anti — You can refer to people who are opposed to a particular activity or idea as antis.
  • anti-thetical — of the nature of or involving antithesis.

adjective recalcitrant

  • contrariant — Contrary; opposed; antagonistic; contradictory.
  • difficult — not easily or readily done; requiring much labor, skill, or planning to be performed successfully; hard: a difficult job.
  • inflexible — not flexible; incapable of or resistant to being bent; rigid: an inflexible steel rod.
  • insubmissive — Unwilling to submit; not submissive, disobedient.
  • misfortunate — Having suffered misfortune; pitiable.

Antonyms for recalcitrant

adj recalcitrant

  • compliant — If you say that someone is compliant, you mean they willingly do what they are asked to do.

Top questions with recalcitrant

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See also

Matching words

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