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intransigent

adjective
in·​tran·​si·​gent | \ in-ˈtran(t)-sə-jənt How to pronounce intransigent (audio) , -ˈtran-zə\

Definition of intransigent

: characterized by refusal to compromise or to abandon an often extreme position or attitude : uncompromising intransigent in their opposition an intransigent attitude
Other Words from intransigent Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about intransigent

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Other Words from intransigent

intransigent noun
intransigently adverb

Did You Know?

English speakers borrowed "intransigent" in the 19th century from Spanish intransigente ("uncompromising"), itself a combination of the familiar prefix in- ("not") and "transigente" ("willing to compromise"). "Transigente" comes from the Spanish verb transigir ("to compromise"), which in turn comes from Latin transigere ("to come to an agreement"). The French have a similar verb, "transiger," which also means "to compromise." You may wonder if the word transigent exists in English, and the answer is "not really." It has seen occasional use, but it is not well established. There is, however, one other common English word that traces from Latin transigere: transact, meaning "to conduct (business)."

Examples of intransigent in a Sentence

He has remained intransigent in his opposition to the proposal. he has remained intransigent, refusing all suggestions for improvement of the process

Recent Examples on the Web

 And his efforts to defang American enemies have run up against intransigent foreign leaders as well as resistance from both allies and his own advisers. — Michael Crowley, New York Times, "Trump Heads Into 2020 With No Clear Policy Agenda. But It May Not Matter.," 4 Sep. 2019 Since suspending the bill in June, Lam has been intransigent over the protesters’ chief demands, which include a withdrawal of the bill, an independent inquiry into police misconduct and universal suffrage. — Ryan Ho Kilpatrick, Los Angeles Times, "Hong Kong’s leaderless protest movement put to the test with arrest of prominent activists," 30 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'intransigent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of intransigent

circa 1879, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for intransigent

Spanish intransigente, from in- + transigente, present participle of transigir to compromise, from Latin transigere to come to an agreement — more at transact

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More Definitions for intransigent

intransigent

adjective
How to pronounce intransigent (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of intransigent

formal : completely unwilling to change : very stubborn

See the full definition for intransigent in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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More from Merriam-Webster on intransigent

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for intransigent

Spanish Central: Translation of intransigent

Nglish: Translation of intransigent for Spanish Speakers

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