intransigent
C1/C2formal
Definition
Meaning
Unwilling to change one's views or to agree about something.
Refusing to compromise or moderate a position, especially a political or ideological one; uncompromising, stubbornly inflexible.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term often implies a principled or ideological refusal to compromise, rather than mere stubbornness. It carries a formal, slightly negative connotation of being unreasonably rigid.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage between BrE and AmE.
Connotations
In both varieties, the word typically suggests obstinacy and is often used in political, diplomatic, or academic contexts.
Frequency
Slightly more common in written, formal registers in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
be intransigent about sthremain intransigentprove intransigentVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “dig one's heels in (as a less formal equivalent)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The union's intransigent negotiators refused to consider any pay freeze.
Academic
The historian was criticized for his intransigent adherence to a discredited theory.
Everyday
He can be so intransigent when it comes to changing his routine.
Technical
In game theory, an intransigent player can derail negotiations.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adverb
British English
- He intransigently refused to apologise.
American English
- She intransigently held out against the proposed reforms.
adjective
British English
- The minister's intransigent views on the matter were widely reported.
American English
- The senator's intransigent position made a budget deal impossible.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My father is intransigent and never listens to other ideas.
- The company's intransigent stance during the talks led to a strike.
- Despite immense international pressure, the regime remained intransigent on human rights issues.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: IN (not) + TRANSIGENT (sounds like 'transact' or 'transaction'). Someone who is intransigent will NOT make a deal.
Conceptual Metaphor
INFLEXIBILITY IS SOLIDITY/STONINESS (e.g., 'He remained as intransigent as a rock').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'интранзитивный' (intransitive). The Russian близкий перевод 'непреклонный', 'неуступчивый' captures the meaning.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'intransignant' or 'intransigient'.
- Using it to describe simple stubbornness without an ideological or principled element.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'intransigent' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is almost exclusively used to describe people, groups, or their attitudes/positions.
'Stubborn' is general and informal. 'Intransigent' is formal and implies a principled, often political or ideological, refusal to compromise.
It typically carries a negative connotation of being unreasonably rigid, though it can sometimes imply admirable steadfastness to principles.
Yes, 'intransigence' (the quality of being intransigent) and 'intransigent' can also be used as a noun (e.g., 'political intransigents').
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C2 · 17 words · Highly precise adjectives and descriptors.
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