What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
calcitrant
Example
The calcitrant child refused to listen to his teacher's instructions. [calcitrant: adjective]
Example
The horse became calcitrant and refused to move forward. [calcitrant: adjective]
recalcitrant
Example
The recalcitrant employee refused to follow company policies. [recalcitrant: adjective]
Example
The government faced challenges in dealing with recalcitrant protesters. [recalcitrant: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Recalcitrant is more commonly used than calcitrant in everyday language. Recalcitrant is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while calcitrant is less common and has a more limited usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between calcitrant and recalcitrant?
While calcitrant is typically associated with a more formal tone, recalcitrant can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.