Recalcitrance: meaning, definitions and examples

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recalcitrance

 

[ rɪˈkælsɪtrəns ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

behavior

The quality of being defiant or uncooperative; resistance to authority or control.

Synonyms

defiance, obstinacy, rebellion

Examples of usage

  • He displayed recalcitrance towards following the rules.
  • Her recalcitrance towards the new management style caused tension in the office.
Context #2 | Noun

animal behavior

The tendency of an animal to resist training or discipline.

Synonyms

intractability, obstinacy, stubbornness

Examples of usage

  • The horse's recalcitrance made it difficult to break in.
  • The trainer had to use various techniques to overcome the dog's recalcitrance.

Translations

Translations of the word "recalcitrance" in other languages:

🇵🇹 recalcitrância

🇮🇳 अवज्ञा

🇩🇪 Widerspenstigkeit

🇮🇩 pemberontakan

🇺🇦 непокірність

🇵🇱 opór

🇯🇵 反抗

🇫🇷 récalcitrance

🇪🇸 recalcitrancia

🇹🇷 başkaldırı

🇰🇷 저항

🇸🇦 تمرد

🇨🇿 vzpoura

🇸🇰 neposlušnosť

🇨🇳 抵抗

🇸🇮 upor

🇮🇸 uppreisn

🇰🇿 бұзақылық

🇬🇪 წინააღმდეგობა

🇦🇿 müxalifət

🇲🇽 recalcitrancia

Etymology

The word 'recalcitrance' has its origins in the Latin word 'recalcitrantia', which means 'kicking back'. It first appeared in English in the mid-19th century. The term was initially used in a literary context to describe characters who were defiant or rebellious. Over time, it also came to be applied to animals that were difficult to train or control. Today, 'recalcitrance' is commonly used to refer to both human and animal behavior that shows resistance to authority or discipline.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,522 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.