Docile and Refractory
Opposite meaning words
Docile
Docile adjective - Readily giving in to the command or authority of another.
Usage example: a docile young pony that went wherever it was led
Refractory is an antonym for docile.
Nearby Word: docility
Refractory
Refractory adjective - Given to resisting authority or another's control.
Usage example: refractory players will be ejected from the game
Docile is an antonym for refractory.
Cite this Source
Refractory and Docile. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 22, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/docile/refractory
Docile & Refractory. N.p., 2016. Web. 22 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/docile/refractory>.
Refractory or Docile. 2016. Accessed July 22, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/docile/refractory.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "docile" and "refractory" have occurred on timeline