What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
untractable
Example
The untractable nature of the problem made it impossible to find a solution. [untractable: adjective]
Example
The child's untractable behavior was a challenge for the teacher. [untractable: adjective]
Example
The untractable horse refused to be tamed by any trainer. [untractable: adjective]
intractable
Example
The intractable conflict between the two countries seemed to have no end. [intractable: adjective]
Example
The intractable employee refused to follow the company's rules. [intractable: adjective]
Example
The patient's intractable pain required a higher dose of medication. [intractable: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Intractable is more commonly used than untractable in everyday language. Intractable is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while untractable is less common and mostly used in informal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between untractable and intractable?
Both untractable and intractable are considered formal words and are appropriate for use in academic or professional writing.
