Intractable

usgb/ɪnˈtræktəbl/
adjective

Difficult to control or deal with.

The struggling economy is an intractable problem that needs to be solved.
Visual representation of "intractable" - difficult to control or deal with

Often appears as...

  • intractable problem
  • intractable pain
Definition 1 of 3
Visual representation of "intractable"
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Hard to Solve

Used for problems with no easy solution, typically social, political, or economic issues.

Illustration for Hard to Solve
Global warming is an intractable issue, affected by various global factors.
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Persistent Issue

Implies that the problem is not only difficult but also enduring over time.

Illustration for Persistent Issue
The war has become an intractable conflict, with no end in sight.
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Not Literal

Often used metaphorically to describe abstract dilemmas, not just physical struggles.

Illustration for Not Literal
He grapples with the intractable dilemma of choosing career over family.
Word comparison image

Compare with

difficultheadstrongmanageableobstinaterecalcitrancerefractorystubbornunrulyyield
Visual representation of the word "Intractable"

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