Refractory

/rɪˈfræktəri/
adjective

Difficult to manage or control.

The child was refractory and refused to follow instructions.
Visual representation of "refractory" - Difficult to manage or control

Often appears as...

  • refractory period
  • refractory epilepsy
adjective

Resistant to treat, as of a disease or condition.

The patient was diagnosed with refractory cancer.
Visual representation of "refractory" - Resistant to treat, as of a disease or condition

Often appears as...

  • refractory period
  • refractory pain

Usage tips

Disapproving

Academic

noun

A substance that is resistant to heat.

The furnace is lined with refractory materials.
Visual representation of "refractory" - A substance that is resistant to heat

Often appears as...

  • refractory material
  • refractory brick

Usage tips

Technical

adjective

Difficult to manage or control.

The child was refractory and refused to follow instructions.
Visual representation of "refractory" - Difficult to manage or control

Often appears as...

  • refractory period
  • refractory epilepsy
adjective

Resistant to treat, as of a disease or condition.

The patient was diagnosed with refractory cancer.
Visual representation of "refractory" - Resistant to treat, as of a disease or condition

Often appears as...

  • refractory period
  • refractory pain

Usage tips

Disapproving

Academic

noun

A substance that is resistant to heat.

The furnace is lined with refractory materials.
Visual representation of "refractory" - A substance that is resistant to heat

Often appears as...

  • refractory material
  • refractory brick

Usage tips

Technical

Definition 1 of 3
Visual representation of "refractory"
LampPro Tip 1/2

Behavioral Focus

Primarily used to describe uncooperative actions or attitudes in people, especially when stubborn.

Illustration for Behavioral Focus
He was refractory during negotiations, frustrating everyone involved.
LampPro Tip 2/2

Negative Connotation

'Refractory' usually implies a negative judgment and can suggest a need for discipline or correction.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
The refractory student was sent to the principal's office.
LampPro Tip 1/2

Behavioral Focus

Primarily used to describe uncooperative actions or attitudes in people, especially when stubborn.

Illustration for Behavioral Focus
He was refractory during negotiations, frustrating everyone involved.
LampPro Tip 2/2

Negative Connotation

'Refractory' usually implies a negative judgment and can suggest a need for discipline or correction.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
The refractory student was sent to the principal's office.
LampPro Tip 1/2

Behavioral Focus

Primarily used to describe uncooperative actions or attitudes in people, especially when stubborn.

Illustration for Behavioral Focus
He was refractory during negotiations, frustrating everyone involved.
LampPro Tip 2/2

Negative Connotation

'Refractory' usually implies a negative judgment and can suggest a need for discipline or correction.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
The refractory student was sent to the principal's office.
Visual representation of the word "Refractory"

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Video examples

A "living drug" that...

CAR T-cell therapy has also been tested now in adults with refractory lymphoma. This disease afflicts about 20,000 a year in the United States. The results were equally impressive and have been durable to date. And six months ago, the FDA approved the therapy of this advanced lymphoma with CAR T cells.

Video examples

How do nerves work? -...

Meanwhile, potassium ion channels open, potassium rushes out of the nerve, and the membrane voltage returns to normal. Actually, overshooting it a bit. And during this overshoot, the nerve is resistant to further depolarization-it is refractory,

Video examples

A "living drug" that...

CAR T-cell therapy has also been tested now in adults with refractory lymphoma. This disease afflicts about 20,000 a year in the United States. The results were equally impressive and have been durable to date. And six months ago, the FDA approved the therapy of this advanced lymphoma with CAR T cells.

Video examples

How do nerves work? -...

Meanwhile, potassium ion channels open, potassium rushes out of the nerve, and the membrane voltage returns to normal. Actually, overshooting it a bit. And during this overshoot, the nerve is resistant to further depolarization-it is refractory,

Example 1 of 2

Quote examples

Paul Craig Roberts

American Economist

I have argued that the Soviet story is one of the interaction of speculative excess or utopian aspirations with refractory reality.
Portrait of Paul Craig Roberts

Quote examples

Paul Craig Roberts

American Economist

I have argued that the Soviet story is one of the interaction of speculative excess or utopian aspirations with refractory reality.
Portrait of Paul Craig Roberts
Example 1 of 1
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