What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
intractable
Example
The intractable traffic congestion in the city is causing a lot of frustration. [intractable: adjective]
Example
He was an intractable child who refused to listen to his parents. [intractable: adjective]
Example
The patient's intractable pain required a higher dosage of medication. [intractable: adjective]
incurable
Example
Unfortunately, his cancer is incurable and he only has a few months to live. [incurable: adjective]
Example
The damage to the environment is irreversible and incurable. [incurable: adjective]
Example
She has an incurable habit of biting her nails. [incurable: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Incurable is more commonly used than intractable in a medical context. Intractable is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while incurable is primarily used to describe a medical condition.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between intractable and incurable?
Both intractable and incurable are formal words that are typically used in serious or professional contexts, such as medical reports or legal documents.
