unteachable
Resistant to learning
Unteachable describes someone who cannot or will not learn—whether from stubbornness, closed-mindedness, or inability to absorb instruction.
The word often implies willful resistance rather than lack of capacity: He's not stupid, just unteachable.
Less commonly, it describes subject matter that resists being taught: Some skills are unteachable—you either have the instinct or you don't.
Resistant to teaching
- uncoachableResistant to instruction
- ineducableIncapable of being taught
- slowLacking in speed
- denseClosely packed together
thick · obtuse · dull-witted · dim · unresponsive · unamenable · unreceptive · unadaptable
Firmly refusing to yield
- headstrongStubbornly self-willed
- bullheadedStubbornly refusing to yield
- willfulIntentionally unyielding
- mulishStubbornly refusing to yield
pigheaded · dogged · tenacious · adamant · unbending · recalcitrant · defiant · resistant
Impossible to reform
- unreformableImpossible to correct
- hopelessBeyond possibility of success
- hardenedMade tough or unfeeling
- unrepentantFeeling no remorse
wayward · delinquent · unruly · disobedient · unmanageable · ungovernable · irreclaimable · incurable
Intolerant of differing views
- prejudicedBiased against a group
- biasedUnfairly favoring one side
- dogmaticAsserting opinions as facts
- opinionatedFirmly attached to beliefs
unreceptive · intolerant · blinkered · parochial · provincial · myopic · doctrinaire · hidebound
indocile
Resistant to teaching
- uncoachableResistant to instruction
- ineducableIncapable of being taught
- slowLacking in speed
dense · thick · obtuse · dull-witted · dim · unresponsive · unamenable · unreceptive · unadaptable · impervious
obstinate
Firmly refusing to yield
- headstrongStubbornly self-willed
- bullheadedStubbornly refusing to yield
- willfulIntentionally unyielding
mulish · pigheaded · dogged · tenacious · adamant · unbending · recalcitrant · defiant · resistant · uncooperative
irredeemable
Impossible to reform
- unreformableImpossible to correct
- hopelessBeyond possibility of success
- hardenedMade tough or unfeeling
unrepentant · wayward · delinquent · unruly · disobedient · unmanageable · ungovernable · irreclaimable · incurable · inveterate
narrow-minded
Intolerant of differing views
- prejudicedBiased against a group
- biasedUnfairly favoring one side
- dogmaticAsserting opinions as facts
opinionated · unreceptive · intolerant · blinkered · parochial · provincial · myopic · doctrinaire · hidebound · bigoted
unteachableteachable
Able to be instructed
educable · receptive · trainable · coachable · instructable
unteachableopen-minded
Receptive to different ideas
receptive · flexible · adaptable · humble · correctable
teach, teacher, teaching, teachers, teaches, teachable, untaught, teacherly, unteach