Recalcitrant
adjective
Not willing to do what you are asked or ordered to do.
The manager had to deal with a recalcitrant employee who refuses to follow the rules.
Often appears as...
- a recalcitrant child
- recalcitrant attitude
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
noun
A person who refuses to obey orders or the law.
As a recalcitrant, he always finds himself in trouble with the authorities.
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
adjective
Not willing to do what you are asked or ordered to do.
The manager had to deal with a recalcitrant employee who refuses to follow the rules.
Often appears as...
- a recalcitrant child
- recalcitrant attitude
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
noun
A person who refuses to obey orders or the law.
As a recalcitrant, he always finds himself in trouble with the authorities.
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Resists Authority
Used to describe someone who actively challenges or defies rules set by others.
Even after several warnings, the recalcitrant teenager continued to break curfew.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Carries a negative tone, implying stubbornness or defiance is undesired or problematic.
Her recalcitrant stance against the new policies made teamwork difficult.
Pro Tip 3/3Often Personal
Frequently refers to a person's attitude or personality when resisting guidance or expectations.
The recalcitrant employee would not adapt to the new software.
Pro Tip 1/3Resists Authority
Used to describe someone who actively challenges or defies rules set by others.
Even after several warnings, the recalcitrant teenager continued to break curfew.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Carries a negative tone, implying stubbornness or defiance is undesired or problematic.
Her recalcitrant stance against the new policies made teamwork difficult.
Pro Tip 3/3Often Personal
Frequently refers to a person's attitude or personality when resisting guidance or expectations.
The recalcitrant employee would not adapt to the new software.
Pro Tip 1/3Resists Authority
Used to describe someone who actively challenges or defies rules set by others.
Even after several warnings, the recalcitrant teenager continued to break curfew.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Carries a negative tone, implying stubbornness or defiance is undesired or problematic.
Her recalcitrant stance against the new policies made teamwork difficult.
Pro Tip 3/3Often Personal
Frequently refers to a person's attitude or personality when resisting guidance or expectations.
The recalcitrant employee would not adapt to the new software.
Compare with
defiantdisobedientobstinaterebelliousrefractoryresistantstubbornyield
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Video examples
Capitalism will eat...
indeed of some recalcitrant friends of mine who kept telling me that democracy would be banned if it ever threatened to change anything. Tonight, here, I want to present to you an economic case for an authentic democracy.
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 222 PIPE...
at least a brief entre lumba he found Tandy again and she once more was calling for her daughter number being recalcitrant very rebellious not coming when called right well that was gorgeous
Video examples
Capitalism will eat...
indeed of some recalcitrant friends of mine who kept telling me that democracy would be banned if it ever threatened to change anything. Tonight, here, I want to present to you an economic case for an authentic democracy.
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 222 PIPE...
at least a brief entre lumba he found Tandy again and she once more was calling for her daughter number being recalcitrant very rebellious not coming when called right well that was gorgeous
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Emily Oster
American Economist
The basic idea that incentives can be used to motivate behavior is a powerful one. It works for employees, and it has a clear place in parenting, as anyone who has tried to potty-train a recalcitrant toddler with sticker rewards knows.
Quote examples
John Berger
English Artist
In Degas's compositions with several dancers, their steps, postures and gestures often resemble the almost geometric, formal letters of an alphabet, whereas their bodies and heads are recalcitrant, sinuous and individual.
Quote examples
Abdus Salam
Pakistani Scientist
Soon I knew the craft of experimental physics was beyond me - it was the sublime quality of patience - patience in accumulating data, patience with recalcitrant equipment - which I sadly lacked.
Quote examples
M. H. Abrams
Critic
The Romantics were whipping boys of the New Criticism, but they appealed to me anyway. I was recalcitrant. It was clear to me that they had thought innovatively.
Quote examples
Emily Oster
American Economist
The basic idea that incentives can be used to motivate behavior is a powerful one. It works for employees, and it has a clear place in parenting, as anyone who has tried to potty-train a recalcitrant toddler with sticker rewards knows.
Quote examples
John Berger
English Artist
In Degas's compositions with several dancers, their steps, postures and gestures often resemble the almost geometric, formal letters of an alphabet, whereas their bodies and heads are recalcitrant, sinuous and individual.
Quote examples
Abdus Salam
Pakistani Scientist
Soon I knew the craft of experimental physics was beyond me - it was the sublime quality of patience - patience in accumulating data, patience with recalcitrant equipment - which I sadly lacked.
Quote examples
M. H. Abrams
Critic
The Romantics were whipping boys of the New Criticism, but they appealed to me anyway. I was recalcitrant. It was clear to me that they had thought innovatively.
Example 1 of 4
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