recalcitrancy

9.7

Refusing to follow rules or orders

noun
/ˌriːˈkæl.sɪ.trən.si/

Formal

: recalcitrancia

His recalcitrancy made it difficult to implement the new policies.

Examples

The recalcitrancy of the teenager frustrated her teachers and parents alike.
His recalcitrancy during negotiations slowed the progress toward an agreement.
Despite repeated efforts, the recalcitrancy of the wild horses made them difficult to train.
The child's recalcitrancy frustrated the teacher.
The recalcitrancy of the teenager frustrated her teachers and parents alike.
His recalcitrancy during negotiations slowed the progress toward an agreement.
Despite repeated efforts, the recalcitrancy of the wild horses made them difficult to train.

Synonyms

stubbornness

vsrecalcitrancy

21 3.6

Refusing to change your mind or actions even when there are good reasons

leans toward active refusal to follow authority rather than simple inflexibility

intransigence

vsrecalcitrancy

10 8.7

Refusal to change your mind or to agree with others

centres more on resisting control or authority than on compromise alone

obstinacy

vsrecalcitrancy

3 7.6

Refusing to change your mind or actions even when others ask you to

carries more implication of resisting authority and control

rebelliousness

vsrecalcitrancy

3 6.7

A strong wish not to follow rules or authority

focuses on resistance that is stubborn rather than openly defiant

recalcitrance

vsrecalcitrancy

Formal

2 8.8

Refusal to obey rules or cooperate with people in charge

is the same meaning but uses a different noun ending

pigheadedness

vsrecalcitrancy

Informal

1 7.9

Refusing to change your mind even when you are wrong

focuses more on resisting authority or orders rather than mere obstinacy

obstinance

vsrecalcitrancy

1 7.9

Being stubborn and refusing to change your mind

adds a sense of resisting control or authority rather than just opinion

bullheadedness

vsrecalcitrancy

1 8.3

Refusing to change ideas or plans even when it is not reasonable

is similar but emphasizes resisting control rather than simple foolishness

obduracy

vsrecalcitrancy

1 9.9

Refusing to change your mind or plans even after seeing good reasons

covers resisting authority more broadly rather than just persistence of view

intransigency

vsrecalcitrancy

8.4

Refusing to change your views to reach an agreement

stresses resistance to outside control more than mere refusal to agree

unyieldingness

vsrecalcitrancy

8.1

A refusal to change an opinion or action despite pressure

adds a sharper sense of opposing authority or control rather than firmness

obdurateness

vsrecalcitrancy

9.8

The quality of being stubborn and not caring about others

is about resisting control but not necessarily lacking feeling

reactance

vsrecalcitrancy

Specialized

9.2

A strong desire to do the opposite when someone limits your freedom

is broader, covering stubborn refusal even when freedom is not the cause

refractoriness

vsrecalcitrancy

Formal

9.9

Refusal to follow rules or orders

highlights deliberate resistance to authority rather than general unmanageability

contumacy

vsrecalcitrancy

Formal

9.9

Refusing to obey authority, especially a court order

is broader, applying to stubborn resistance beyond legal or court contexts

recusancy

vsrecalcitrancy

Archaic

9.9

Refusal to attend Church of England services, often by Catholics in the 1500s

is the general stubborn resistance to authority without historical or religious focus

Antonyms

cooperation

443 2.5

Working together with other people to reach a common goal

compliance

171 5.0

Obeying rules or orders from people in charge

How Stubborn

defiance

76 5.3

intransigence

10 8.7

recalcitrancy

Formal

9.7

obstinacy

3 7.6

reluctance

68 3.6

Surface Forms

recalcitrancy singular

recalcitrancies plural

Morphology

recalcitrancy = recalcitrant (semi-transparent) = re + calcitr + ancy

The suffix '-ancy' forms a noun from the adjective 'recalcitrant', indicating a state or quality.

Etymology

Recalcitrancy comes from Latin parts re- ('back') and calcitrare ('to kick with the heel'), giving the picture of someone 'kicking back' against control. That's why recalcitrancy means stubbornly refusing to obey or cooperate.