Used for problems with no easy solution, typically social, political, or economic issues. Global warming is an intractable issue, affected by various global factors.
Pro Tip 2/3
Persistent Issue
Implies that the problem is not only difficult but also enduring over time. The war has become an intractable conflict, with no end in sight.
Pro Tip 3/3
Not Literal
Often used metaphorically to describe abstract dilemmas, not just physical struggles. He grapples with the intractable dilemma of choosing career over family.