Recalcitrant

/rih-KAL-sih-trunt/

अड़ियल (adiyal) / जिद्दी (ziddi)

★★★★★ Intermediate Academic

Meanings

  1. Having an obstinately uncooperative attitude
  2. Stubbornly resistant to authority
  3. Defiant

Example Sentences

  • "The recalcitrant student refused to follow the school's dress code despite warnings."
  • "Dealing with recalcitrant taxpayers is one of the biggest challenges for the department."
  • "The recalcitrant union members rejected every compromise proposed by the management."

Etymology

From Latin 'recalcitrantem' (kicking back), from 're-' (back) + 'calcitrare' (to kick), from 'calx' (heel). The image is of a stubborn horse kicking back at its rider.

Related Words

obstinatestubborndefiantintransigent
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