refractory

adjective

ri-ˈfrak-t(ə-)rē How to pronounce refractory (audio)
Definition of refractorynext
1
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control refractory players will be ejected from the game

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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 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 Marinus Pharmaceuticals said an experimental treatment for refractory status epilepticus failed to meet early stopping criteria for a Phase 3 study. —Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 15 Apr. 2024 All of the children had rare, relapsed or refractory cancers and were running out of treatment options. —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024 Many of those patients were able to receive a potentially curative stem cell transplant later on, which is often the ultimate goal for patients with relapsed or refractory patients. —Damian Garde, STAT, 13 Dec. 2023 See All Example Sentences for refractory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refractory
  1. rebellious
  2. stubborn
  3. rebel
  4. recalcitrant
  5. defiant
  6. intractable
  7. uncontrollable
  8. unmanageable
Adjective
  • These two regions are no longer promising New World upstarts or rebellious outposts of Bordeaux.
    — Jessica Dupuy, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • Meanwhile, Paul finds himself in a work crisis that puts the lifestyle of Julie and their rebellious son Russ (Simon Webster) in jeopardy, leading Julie back to the dopey sweetness of Carey.
    — Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 19 May 2025
Definition of rebellious
Adjective
  • Still, the stubborn media silence continued unabated.
    — Nate Rogers, Vulture, 22 May 2025
  • United needed to play perfect football to unlock a stubborn defence, but struggled to push past competency.
    — Carl Anka, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Definition of stubborn
Adjective
  • Here romantic passion combines with revolution in a historical fiction sure to light up readers’ rebel hearts.
    — Lorraine Berry, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
  • Then, the detainees were executed, dressed in rebel uniforms, and reported as combat kills with many buried in anonymous graves in cemeteries.
    — John Otis, NPR, 27 May 2025
Definition of rebel
Adjective
  • In response, these recalcitrant members of Congress simply refused to adopt must-pass federal reapportionment legislation.
    — Made by History, Time, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Among Congressional Republicans, Paul has been more recalcitrant than most.
    — Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of recalcitrant
Adjective
  • Bowser’s shifting response on immigration matters is one of a number of ways the mayor, a leading figure in the Democratic resistance during Trump’s first term, is now striking a less defiant tone.
    — Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
  • Moxley took out Nightingale to massive heat, and Omega hit a snap-dragon suplex on a defiant Marina Shafir.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Definition of defiant
Adjective
  • The issue of a ceasefire is where the intractable differences are clearest.
    — Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
  • Unemployment fueling instability While African political campaigns often make note of persistently high rates of youth unemployment, the policy priorities of governments across the continent have seemingly failed to fix this intractable problem.
    — Richard Aidoo, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of intractable
Adjective
  • Research shows that people under stress are more likely to give up, but only when the situation feels uncontrollable.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • Entire neighborhoods are retrofitted with clear glass domes that activate during extreme rainstorms and uncontrollable wildfires.
    — Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025
Definition of uncontrollable
Adjective
  • In fact, too much change at once becomes unmanageable noise.
    — Kathleen Walch, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • Freedom Debt Relief offers a five-step program to alleviate unmanageable debt without charging sign-up fees.
    — Jason Phillips, USA Today, 17 May 2025
Definition of unmanageable

Browse Nearby Words

refractoriness
refractory
refrain
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“Refractory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refractory. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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