Refractory and Unruly

Refractory

Refractory adjective - Given to resisting authority or another's control.
Usage example: refractory players will be ejected from the game

Unruly is a synonym for refractory in stubborn topic. In some cases you can use "Unruly" instead an adjective "Refractory", when it comes to topics like control, obstinate, unmanageable. popular alternative

Unruly

Unruly adjective - Given to resisting authority or another's control.
Usage example: unruly pupils were given detention as a matter of course

Refractory is a synonym for unruly in control topic. You can use "Refractory" instead the word "Unruly" as an adjective or a noun, if it concerns topics such as stubborn, disorderly, disobedient. popular alternative
Cite this Source
Unruly and Refractory. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/refractory/unruly
Refractory & Unruly. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/refractory/unruly>.
Unruly or Refractory. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/refractory/unruly.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "refractory" and "unruly" have occurred on timeline