recalcitrant

What does “recalcitrant” mean?

adjective.having an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline.

SAT Usage

this term often appears in passages discussing themes of authority, rebellion, or resistance, particularly in historical or social contexts. It emphasizes a stubborn refusal to comply, highlighting a deeper conflict with rules or expectations, which sets it apart from similar words like "disobedient," as it suggests a more entrenched or willful defiance.

Common Confusions

Recalcitrant implies a steadfast and willful defiance against authority, while disobedient usually suggests a more general lack of compliance without the same level of entrenched resistance.

Example Sentences

• The recalcitrant student refused to follow any classroom rules.

Word Parts: How to Remember “recalcitrant”

Break “recalcitrant” into its parts: re- (again, back). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: re- again, back (Latin)