Refine this word faster

Stronger alternatives Opposite tone Use in context Cross-language nuance

Refractory

adj, noun

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Obstinate and unruly; strongly opposed to something.

    "[…] in most instances attempts to coerce the refractory and disobedient have been the signals of bloody wars, […]"

  2. 2
    Not affected by great heat.

    "Pure lime is extremely refractory, but readily fusible if any silex is brought in contact with it; […]"

  3. 3
    Resistant to treatment; not responding adequately to therapy.

    "Many of the vague and refractory cases of neck and shoulder pain and of migraine may be due to cervical disc disease."

  4. 4
    Incapable of registering a reaction or stimulus.

    "The production of a generator potential leaves a refractory state in the receptor membrane […]"

Adjective
  1. 1
    stubbornly resistant to authority or control wordnet
  2. 2
    temporarily unresponsive or not fully responsive to a process or stimulus wordnet
  3. 3
    not responding to treatment wordnet
Noun
  1. 1
    A material or piece of material, such as a brick, that has a very high melting point.
  2. 2
    lining consisting of material with a high melting point; used to line the inside walls of a furnace wordnet
  3. 3
    A plant or factory that produces such material.

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Latin refractārius (“obstinate”), from refractus, past participle of refringere (“to break up”). Originally refractary, refractarie, but reanalysed after other adjectives in -ory.

Etymology 2

From Latin refractārius (“obstinate”), from refractus, past participle of refringere (“to break up”). Originally refractary, refractarie, but reanalysed after other adjectives in -ory.

See also for "refractory"

Synonyms Antonyms Rhymes Sentences Translate Word Type Pronunciation Word Forms

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciation

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: refractory