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most intractable

ADJECTIVE

difficult, stubborn

Synonyms

WEAK

awkward bullheaded cantankerous contrary hang tough hard-line headstrong immovable incompliant incurable indocile indomitable insoluble locked in mulish obdurate obstinate pat pertinacious perverse pigheaded recalcitrant refractory resolute self-willed set in stone tenacious tough tough-nut unbending uncompromising uncooperative undisciplined ungovernable unmanageable unpliable unruly unyielding wayward wild willful

Antonyms

WEAK

amenable easy facile manageable

ADJECTIVE

difficult

Synonyms

STRONGEST

incurable intransigent stubborn uncompromising unmanageable

WEAK

awkward bull-headed cantankerous contrary fractious hang tough hard-line headstrong immovable incompliant indocile indomitable insoluble locked locked in mulish obdurate obstinate pat pertinacious perverse pig-headed recalcitrant refractory resolute self-willed tenacious tough tough nut unbending uncooperative undisciplined ungovernable unpliable unruly unyielding wayward wild willful

Antonyms

STRONGEST

willing

WEAK

manageable

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He soon began to hit Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on some of the city’s most intractable problems, including street homelessness and the stagnating entertainment industry.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

Given that AI uses a tremendous amount of energy and water, public servants should be applying it towards solving society’s most intractable problems, not creating racist tropes or belittling people for exercising their democratic rights.

From Salon • Nov. 29, 2025

Yet military issues have remained the most intractable area of tension between the two nations, and expectations for the meeting between the defense chiefs in Singapore were modest.

From New York Times • May 31, 2024

Haiti has suffered under decades of crises, but the latest may be its most intractable.

From Slate • May 24, 2024

Of all the visual elements, color is undoubtedly the most expressive—as well as the most intractable.

From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson