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

$Visual representation of "refractory"$

Pro Tip 1/2

Behavioral Focus

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

He was refractory during negotiations, frustrating everyone involved.

Pro Tip 2/2

Negative Connotation

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

The refractory student was sent to the principal's office.

Compare with

defiantheadstrongintractableobstinaterebelliousresistantstubbornyield

Look up Compare with

$Visual representation of the word "Refractory"$

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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,