intractable
Resisting all solutions
Intractable describes something stubbornly resistant to control, treatment, or resolution.
An intractable problem defies easy solutions; an intractable person refuses to cooperate or change course.
The word often appears in contexts where repeated efforts have failed: intractable pain, intractable conflict, an intractable dispute over water rights.
It suggests not merely difficulty but active resistance to intervention.
Persisting over time
- entrenchedFirmly established, resistant to change
- ingrainedFirmly established by habit
- deep-rootedFirmly and long established
- deep-seatedFirmly established within
enduring · lasting · relentless · unrelenting · unremitting · stubborn · tenacious · resistant
Firmly refusing to yield
- adamantStubbornly refusing to yield
- intransigentRefusing to compromise
- obdurateStubbornly refusing to change
- implacableIncapable of being pacified
uncompromising · unrelenting · unswerving · steadfast · resolute · tenacious · iron-willed · unflinching
Cannot be dissolved
- unresolvableImpossible to settle
- impossibleIncapable of occurring
- hopelessBeyond possibility of success
- insurmountableImpossible to overcome
impenetrable · unfathomable · knotty · thorny · vexing · baffling · perplexing · confounding
Impossible to restrain
- unrulyDifficult to control
- ungovernableImpossible to control
- wildNot domesticated or controlled
- chaoticTotally without arrangement
unwieldy · difficult · troublesome · problematic · burdensome · cumbersome · awkward · impossible
chronic
Persisting over time
- entrenchedFirmly established, resistant to change
- ingrainedFirmly established by habit
- deep-rootedFirmly and long established
deep-seated · enduring · lasting · relentless · unrelenting · unremitting · stubborn · tenacious · resistant · refractory
obstinate
Firmly refusing to yield
- adamantStubbornly refusing to yield
- intransigentRefusing to compromise
- obdurateStubbornly refusing to change
implacable · uncompromising · unrelenting · unswerving · steadfast · resolute · tenacious · iron-willed · unflinching · inexorable
insoluble
Cannot be dissolved
- unresolvableImpossible to settle
- impossibleIncapable of occurring
- hopelessBeyond possibility of success
insurmountable · impenetrable · unfathomable · knotty · thorny · vexing · baffling · perplexing · confounding · enigmatic
uncontrollable
Impossible to restrain
- unrulyDifficult to control
- ungovernableImpossible to control
- wildNot domesticated or controlled
chaotic · unwieldy · difficult · troublesome · problematic · burdensome · cumbersome · awkward · impossible · overwhelming
- misbehaviormisbehave, misbehavior, mischief, misconduct, naughty
- out of controlwild, chaotic, unruly, unchecked, runaway
- Complexity ClassesP, NP, EXP, NL, L
- certaintycertain, sure, uncertain, unsure, definite
- interferenceinterfering, meddling, intruding, butting in, obstructing
- tenacitydetermined, persistence, persistent, perseverance, determination
intractabletractable
Easily managed or controlled
manageable · malleable · compliant · docile · controllable
intractablesolvable
Capable of resolution
tractable · manageable · resolvable · fixable · surmountable
- intractable painPersistent suffering resisting treatment