If you describe someone as intransigent, you mean that they refuse to behave differently or to change their attitude to something.
[formal, disapproval]
They put pressure on the Government to change its intransigent stance.
The worry is that the radicals will grow more intransigent.
Synonyms: uncompromising, intractable, tough, stubborn More Synonyms of intransigent
intransigent in British English
or intransigeant (ɪnˈtrænsɪdʒənt)
adjective
1.
not willing to compromise; obstinately maintaining an attitude
noun also: intransigentist (ɪnˈtrænsɪdʒəntɪst)
2.
an intransigent person, esp in politics
Derived forms
intransigence (inˈtransigence) or intransigeance (inˈtransigeance) or intransigency (inˈtransigency)
noun
intransigently (inˈtransigently) or intransigeantly (inˈtransigeantly)
adverb
Word origin
C19: from Spanish los intransigentes the uncompromising (ones), a name adopted by certain political extremists, from in-1 + transigir to compromise, from Latin transigere to settle; see transact
intransigent in American English
(ɪnˈtrænsədʒənt; ɪnˈtrænzədʒənt)
adjective
1.
refusing to compromise or come to an agreement; uncompromising
2.
that cannot be reconciled
noun
3.
a person who is intransigent, esp. in politics
Derived forms
intransigence (inˈtransigence)
noun or inˈtransigency
intransigently (inˈtransigently)
adverb
Word origin
Fr intransigeant < Sp intransigente < L in-, in-2 + transigens, prp. of transigere, to come to a settlement, transact
Examples of 'intransigent' in a sentence
intransigent
This intransigent attitude left me no alternative but to cancel my account.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It is a conflagration that burns with an intransigent force.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is a sudden conflagration that burns with a fierce, intransigent force.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
If the company remains intransigent, you will have reached a deadlock position and the ombudsman will take up the gauntlet on your behalf.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In other languages
intransigent
British English: intransigent ADJECTIVE
If you describe someone as intransigent, you mean that they refuse to behave differently or to change their attitude to something.
They put pressure on the government to change its intransigent stance.
American English: intransigent
Brazilian Portuguese: intransigente
Chinese: 顽固的
European Spanish: intransigente
French: intransigeant
German: unnachgiebig
Italian: intransigente
Japanese: 妥協しない
Korean: 비타협적인
European Portuguese: intransigente
Latin American Spanish: intransigente
(adjective)
Definition
refusing to change one's attitude
The worry is that the radicals will grow more intransigent.
Synonyms
uncompromising
She is considered a tough and uncompromising negotiator.
intractable
How can we reduce the influence of intractable opponents?
tough
He announced tough measures to limit the money supply.
stubborn
He is a stubborn character used to getting his own way.
hardline
They've taken a lot of criticism for their hard-line stance.
tenacious
He is regarded as a persistent and tenacious interviewer.
unyielding
his unyielding attitude on this subject
obstinate
He is obstinate and determined and will not give up.
immovable
On one issue, however, she was immovable.
unbending
her unbending opposition to the old regime
obdurate
The administration have been obdurate defenders of the status quo.
stiff-necked
inflexible
They viewed him as stubborn, inflexible and dogmatic.
unbudgeable
Opposites
compromising
,
flexible
,
open-minded
,
compliant
,
acquiescent
Additional synonyms
in the sense of hardline
Definition
tough and uncompromising
They've taken a lot of criticism for their hard-line stance.
Synonyms
tough,
extreme,
strict,
definite,
uncompromising,
single-minded,
inflexible,
diehard,
unyielding,
intransigent,
immoderate,
undeviating
in the sense of immovable
Definition
unwilling to change one's opinions or beliefs
On one issue, however, she was immovable.
Synonyms
inflexible,
adamant,
resolute,
steadfast,
constant,
unyielding,
unwavering,
impassive,
obdurate,
unshakable,
unchangeable,
unshaken,
stony-hearted,
unimpressionable
in the sense of inflexible
Definition
unwilling to be persuaded
They viewed him as stubborn, inflexible and dogmatic.
Synonyms
obstinate,
strict,
relentless,
firm,
fixed,
iron,
adamant,
rigorous,
stubborn,
stringent,
uncompromising,
resolute,
steely,
intractable,
inexorable,
implacable,
steadfast,
hard and fast,
unyielding,
immutable,
immovable,
unbending,
obdurate,
stiff-necked,
dyed-in-the-wool,
unchangeable,
brassbound,
set in your ways
Nearby words of
intransigent
intoxication
intractability
intractable
intransigent
intrenched
intrepid
intrepidity
Synonyms of 'intransigent'
intransigent
Explore 'intransigent' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of intractable
Definition
(of a person) difficult to influence or direct
How can we reduce the influence of intractable opponents?
Synonyms
difficult,
contrary,
awkward,
wild,
stubborn,
perverse,
wayward,
unruly,
uncontrollable,
wilful,
incurable,
fractious,
unyielding,
obstinate,
intransigent,
headstrong,
unmanageable,
undisciplined,
cantankerous,
unbending,
obdurate,
uncooperative,
stiff-necked,
ungovernable,
self-willed,
refractory,
obstreperous,
pig-headed,
bull-headed
in the sense of obdurate
Definition
not to be persuaded
The administration have been obdurate defenders of the status quo.
Synonyms
obstinate,
firm,
dogged,
determined,
fixed,
iron,
persistent,
relentless,
adamant,
stubborn,
intractable,
inflexible,
wilful,
unrelenting,
tenacious,
inexorable,
implacable,
steadfast,
unyielding,
intransigent,
immovable,
headstrong,
strong-minded,
unbending,
stiff-necked,
unshakeable or unshakable,
refractory,
pig-headed,
mulish,
contumacious (literary),
pertinacious,
indurate (rare),
proof against persuasion,
unimpressible
in the sense of obstinate
Definition
keeping stubbornly to a particular opinion or course of action
He is obstinate and determined and will not give up.
Synonyms
stubborn,
dogged,
determined,
persistent,
firm,
perverse,
intractable,
inflexible,
wilful,
tenacious,
recalcitrant,
steadfast,
unyielding,
opinionated,
intransigent,
immovable,
headstrong,
unmanageable,
cussed,
strong-minded,
unbending,
obdurate,
stiff-necked,
unshakable,
self-willed,
refractory,
pig-headed,
bull-headed,
mulish,
contumacious,
pertinacious
in the sense of stiff-necked
Definition
proud and stubborn
Synonyms
stubborn,
uncompromising,
haughty,
opinionated,
obstinate,
unreceptive,
boneheaded (slang),
contumacious
in the sense of stubborn
Definition
persistent and determined
He is a stubborn character used to getting his own way.
Synonyms
obstinate,
dogged,
inflexible,
fixed,
persistent,
intractable,
wilful,
tenacious,
recalcitrant,
unyielding,
headstrong,
unmanageable,
unbending,
obdurate,
stiff-necked,
unshakeable,
self-willed,
refractory,
pig-headed,
bull-headed,
mulish,
cross-grained,
contumacious
in the sense of tenacious
Definition
stubborn or persistent
He is regarded as a persistent and tenacious interviewer.
Synonyms
stubborn,
dogged,
determined,
persistent,
sure,
firm,
adamant,
staunch,
resolute,
inflexible,
strong-willed,
steadfast,
unyielding,
obstinate,
intransigent,
immovable,
unswerving,
obdurate,
stiff-necked,
pertinacious
in the sense of tough
Definition
strict and firm
He announced tough measures to limit the money supply.