Refractory
Refractory adjective - Given to resisting authority or another's control.
Usage example: refractory players will be ejected from the game
Restive is a synonym for refractory in stubborn topic. In some cases you can use "Restive" instead an adjective "Refractory".
Restive
Restive adjective - Given to resisting authority or another's control.
Usage example: the restive horse threw its head and refused to move when the rider urged it forward
Refractory is a synonym for restive in impatient topic. You can use "Refractory" instead an adjective "Restive", if it concerns topics such as stubborn, restless, unruly.
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
- obstinate and refractory
- obstinate and restive
- stubborn and refractory
- stubborn and restive
- unyielding and refractory
- unyielding and restive
- obstreperous and refractory
- obstreperous and restive
- contrary and refractory
- contrary and restive
- perverse and refractory
- perverse and restive
- balky and refractory
- balky and restive
Cite this Source
Restive and Refractory. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 16, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/refractory/restive
Refractory & Restive. N.p., 2016. Web. 16 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/refractory/restive>.
Restive or Refractory. 2016. Accessed August 16, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/refractory/restive.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "refractory" and "restive" have occurred on timeline