recalcitrant

IPA/rɪˈkælsɪtrənt/
KK[rɪkˈælsɪtrənt]IPA/rɪˈkælsɪtrənt/

recalcitrant — adjective

  • recalcitrantpositive
  • more recalcitrantcomparative
  • most recalcitrantsuperlative

1. said of a person who stubbornly refuses to follow instructions or accept anyone'

1.形容詞C1
釋義

said of a person who stubbornly refuses to follow instructions or accept anyone's authority, no matter the pressure applied; also describes an animal that will not be led or handled

例句

Saira's recalcitrant daughter folded her arms and refused to apologise for the mess.

attributive: recalcitrant daughter

The donkey was recalcitrant — it planted its hooves and refused to cross the bridge.

predicative: was recalcitrant (animal)

同義詞
  • defiant

    openly resisting authority, but without the deep stubbornness that 'recalcitrant' implies

  • disobedient

    a milder, everyday word for failing to follow orders

  • insubordinate

    specifically refusing to obey a superior at work or in the military

  • intractable

    hard to manage or guide; often used of problems and situations as well as people

反義詞
  • compliant

    willing to follow instructions without resistance

  • obedient

    doing what one is told without argument

  • docile

    easy to manage or control, especially of animals

用法筆記

Commonly applied to children, students, and employees who openly resist authority, as well as to animals that refuse to be handled. More frequent in written and institutional English than in everyday speech.

常見錯誤

❌The computer was recalcitrant and would not start.
✅The computer refused to start.
💡'recalcitrant' is normally used of people and animals, not machines or inanimate objects.
❌He was recalcitrant to help.
✅He was recalcitrant and refused to help.
💡'recalcitrant' is not followed by an infinitive; it describes a general disposition, not a single refusal.