Definitions
- Describing a material that is difficult to melt or shape. - Referring to a person who is stubborn and resistant to change or authority. - Talking about a medical condition that is resistant to treatment or medication.
- Referring to a person who is stubborn and uncooperative, often in a rebellious or disobedient manner. - Describing a problem or situation that is difficult to solve or manage. - Talking about a medical condition that is resistant to treatment or medication.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe resistance to change or treatment.
- 2Both words can be used to describe people or things.
- 3Both words have negative connotations.
- 4Both words are formal and not commonly used in everyday language.
What is the difference?
- 1Usage: Refractory is more commonly used in technical or scientific contexts, while recalcitrant is more commonly used in social or behavioral contexts.
- 2Focus: Refractory emphasizes difficulty in shaping or treating materials, while recalcitrant emphasizes difficulty in managing or controlling people or situations.
- 3Connotation: Refractory has a neutral connotation when used in technical contexts, while recalcitrant has a negative connotation when used to describe people or situations.
- 4Intensity: Refractory implies a high degree of resistance, while recalcitrant implies a more moderate degree of resistance.
Remember this!
Refractory and recalcitrant are synonyms that both describe resistance to change or treatment. However, refractory is more commonly used in technical or scientific contexts to describe materials that are difficult to shape or treat, while recalcitrant is more commonly used in social or behavioral contexts to describe people or situations that are difficult to manage or control. Both words have negative connotations and are formal in nature.
