intractability

UK: /ɪnˌtræktəˈbɪlətɪ/ US: /ɪnˌtræktəˈbɪlɪti/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•trac•ta•ble /ɪnˈtræktəbəl/   adj. 

1. not easily managed; stubborn:
   an intractable child.
2. hard to treat, relieve, or cure:
   an intractable disease.

in•trac•ta•bil•i•ty /ɪnˌtræktəˈbɪlɪti/  n. [uncountable] See -trac-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•trac•ta•ble  (in trak′tə bəl), adj. 

1. not easily controlled or directed;
   not docile or manageable;
   stubborn;
   obstinate:
   an intractable disposition.
2. (of things) hard to shape or work with:
   an intractable metal.
3. hard to treat, relieve, or cure:
   the intractable pain in his leg.

n. 

4. an intractable person.

• Latin intractābilis. See in-³, tractable
• 1535–45

in•trac′ta•bil′i•ty, in•trac′ta•ble•ness, n. 
in•trac′ta•bly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. perverse, headstrong, dogged, obdurate, stony, willful, froward.
• 1, 2. fractious, refractory, unbending, inflexible, adamant, unyielding. See unruly. 

Antonyms

• 1. amiable.
• 1, 2. amenable, flexible.