1. stubbornly resistant to authority or control - a fractious animal that would not submit to the harness - a refractory child • Syn: fractious, refractory • Similar to: disobedient • Derivationally related forms: refractoriness (for: refractory), fractiousness (for: fractious) 2. marked by stubborn resistance to authority - the University suspended the most recalcitrant demonstrators • Similar to: defiant, noncompliant • Derivationally related forms: recalcitrancy
