Synonyms of refractory
63 similar words
Another word for refractory is dogged. Other synonyms of refractory are heat-resistant, unyielding, intransigent, immovable and hardheaded.
Synonyms and similar words for refractory
adjectiveObstinate and unruly; strongly opposed to something.
- contrary
- fractious
- adamant
- ardent
- grim
- untiring
- bent onCompletely determined; obstinate.
- bloody-mindedObstinate; stubborn.
- bullheadedUnreasonably stubborn.
- certain
- chronic
- confirmed
- determinedDecided; resolute, possessing much determination; dogged.
- diehard
- doggedStubbornly persevering, steadfast.
- hard-hearted
- hard-nosed
- hardheadedStubborn; wilful.
- headstrongDetermined to do as one pleases, and not as others want.
- immovableSteadfast in purpose or intention: unalterable, unyielding.
- incalcitrantRecalcitrant.
- inflexible
- insistent
- intractable
- intransigentUnwilling to compromise or moderate a position; unreasonable; stubborn.
- intrepidFearless; bold; brave.
- inveterate
- mulishCharacteristic of a mule; stubborn, obstinate, or intractable.
- obdurate
- obstinate
- obstreperousStubbornly defiant; disobedient; resistant to authority or control (whether in a noisy manner or not).
- peremptory
- persistent
- pertinacious
- pigheadedObstinate and stubborn to the point of stupidity.
- recalcitrant
- resolute
- resolvedDetermined; fixed in one's purpose.
- rigidUncompromising.
- self-willed
- stalwart
- staunchStubborn, intransigent.
- steadfast
- steady
- stubborn
- stubborn as a muleExtremely stubborn.
- tenacious
- terminal
- thranStubborn; obstinate; pigheaded.
- toughOf a person, stubborn or persistent; capable of stubbornness or persistence.
- truculentDefiant or uncompromising.
- unbending
- uncompromising
- unyieldingNot giving in; not bending; stubborn.
- vehementShowing strong feelings; passionate; forceful or intense.
- wilful
- willfulAmerican standard spelling of wilful.
- irrefragable obsoleteOf a person: obstinate, stubborn.
- peevish obsoleteObstinately in the wrong; perverse, stubborn.
- sullen obsoleteObstinate; intractable.
- thwart datedOf people: having a tendency to oppose; obstinate, perverse, stubborn.
adjectiveNot affected by great heat.
- heat-resistantResistant to the effects of fire or intense heat.
- fireproofResistant to damage from fire.
Meaning of refractory
- adjective Obstinate and unruly; strongly opposed to something.
- adjective Not affected by great heat.
- adjective Resistant to treatment; not responding adequately to therapy.
refractory in other languages
Questions about synonyms of refractory
- What is another word for refractory?
- Refractory has 63 synonyms on Word.ws, such as dogged, heat-resistant, unyielding, intransigent, immovable, hardheaded, fireproof and rigid.
- What does refractory mean?
- Refractory means obstinate and unruly; strongly opposed to something.
Source and license
Adapted from Wiktionary: refractory (page history and authors) and the entries of the words listed. Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws grouped the synonyms and antonyms by meaning and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.
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Cite this page: “Synonyms of refractory.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/synonyms/refractory. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.