intractable

/ɪnˈtræktəbəl/

/ɪnˈtræktəbəl/

Can't manage your stubborn little brother who won't do what anyone says? You could call him intractable, or you could call your mother. Problems are intractable when they can't be solved.

Intractable means not tractable. Helpful, right? No? Let's break it down. In both words you see the word tract. A contract is a written document that explains how a legal situation is to be managed together. When someone is tractable they are able to be managed or handled. When they are intractable, they are as unmanageable as a hungry two-year old.

Definitions of intractable

1. adjective

   not tractable; difficult to manage or mold
   “an intractable disposition”

   “intractable pain”

   “the most intractable issue of our era”

   “intractable metal”

   synonyms:

   defiant, noncompliant

   boldly resisting authority or an opposing force

   difficult, unbiddable, unmanageable

   hard to control

   disobedient

   not obeying or complying with commands of those in authority

   obstinate, stubborn, unregenerate

   refusing to change one's mind or ways; difficult to convince

   untamed, wild

   wild, free, and not controlled or touched by humans

   balking, balky

   stopping short and refusing to go on

   refractory, stubborn

   not responding to treatment

   uncontrollable, unmanageable

   difficult to solve or alleviate

   unmalleable

   difficult or impossible to shape or work

   antonyms:

   tractable

   easily managed (controlled or taught or molded)

   compliant

   disposed or willing to comply

   manageable

   capable of being managed or controlled

   obedient

   dutifully complying with the commands or instructions of those in authority

   docile

   willing to be taught or led or supervised or directed

   tame, tamed

   brought from wildness into a domesticated state

   ductile, malleable

   easily influenced

   docile, educable, teachable

   ready and willing to be taught

   tamable, tameable

   capable of being tamed