in·trac·ta·ble

[in-trak-tuh-buhl]
adjective
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.
noun
4.
an intractable person.

Origin:
1535–45; < Latin intractābilis. See in-3, tractable

in·trac·ta·bil·i·ty, in·trac·ta·ble·ness, noun
in·trac·ta·bly, adverb


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


1. amiable. 1, 2. amenable, flexible.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Intractable is a GRE word you need to know.
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to coax or influence by gentle flattery; cajole
the quality or condition of being incompetent; lack of ability.
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World English Dictionary
intractable (ɪnˈtræktəbəl) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
adj
1.  difficult to influence or direct: an intractable disposition
2.  (of a problem, illness, etc) difficult to solve, alleviate, or cure
3.  difficult to shape or mould, esp with the hands
 
intracta'bility
 
n
 
in'tractableness
 
n
 
in'tractably
 
adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

intractable
1545, from L. intractabilis "not to be handled," from in- "not" + tractabilis (see tractable).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

intractable in·trac·ta·ble (ĭn-trāk'tə-bəl)
adj.

  1. Difficult to manage or govern; stubborn.

  2. Difficult to alleviate, remedy, or cure.


in·trac'ta·bil'i·ty n.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Example sentences
The intractable complexities of fact produce the inevitable ambiguities of
  faith.
And for that seemingly intractable problem, he is getting some big-time help.
Another reason is more intractable: the grandstanding politician.
But for scientists, tracking birds as they perform those feats has been an
  intractable problem.
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