recalcitrant

[US]/rɪˈkælsɪtrənt/
[UK]/rɪˈkælsɪtrənt/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

adj. resisting authority or control; stubborn
n. someone who resists authority or control; a stubborn person

Example Sentences

a class of recalcitrant fifteen-year-olds.

wrung the truth out of the recalcitrant witness.

The university suspended the most recalcitrant demonstrators.

The recalcitrant student refused to follow the teacher's instructions.

Dealing with a recalcitrant employee can be challenging for a manager.

The recalcitrant toddler threw a tantrum in the grocery store.

The recalcitrant cat refused to come out from under the bed.

She tried to reason with her recalcitrant brother, but he wouldn't listen.

The recalcitrant horse refused to be saddled by the trainer.

The recalcitrant patient refused to take his medication.

The recalcitrant teenager rebelled against his parents' rules.

The recalcitrant computer program kept crashing.

The recalcitrant customer demanded a refund for the faulty product.

Real-world Examples

Land bases were often unavailable because of awkward geography or recalcitrant allies.

Source: The Economist (Summary)

Moreover, solar fusion's raw material is recalcitrant.

Source: The Economist Science and Technology

The recalcitrant third would be differently composed, but it would be on hand.

Source: The Education of Henry Adams (Volume 2)

Six feet of boy curled around kicked-in ribs and a recalcitrant heart.

Source: Red White & Royal Blue

Desperately opening and shutting various flaps on a recalcitrant printer: a day.

Source: Economist Business

At the start of her career, Farrant studied " recalcitrant seeds, " such as avocados, coffee and lychee.

Source: 2018 English CET-6 Reading Comprehension Past Exam Questions

There was less bullying in secondary schools, with about one in twenty-five suffering persistent bullying, but these cases may be particularly recalcitrant.

Source: Cambridge IELTS Reading

The Democrats and Populists were especially recalcitrant. Mr. Bryan hurried to Washington and brought his personal influence to bear in favor of speedy action.

Source: American history

The evidence is clear-and was, in a way that all but only the most recalcitrant can deny, made plain again in the extended endurance test that began in March 2020.

Source: Time

He had often thought of Arabella's remarks that he should have been more severe with Sue, that her recalcitrant spirit would soon have been broken.

Source: Jude the Obscure (Part Two)

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