Intractable
/ɪnˈtræktəbəl/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Intractable means a problem, situation, or person that is very hard to change, fix, or control. It often refers to issues that do not respond well to usual methods or efforts. For example, an intractable problem is one that stays difficult even after trying many solutions.
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See It in Action
Difficult to manage or control (often used for people or situations)
- •The negotiations became intractable due to strong disagreements.
- •She dealt with an intractable child who refused to listen.
- •The conflict in the region is intractable and has lasted for years.
Hard to solve or cure (used for problems or diseases)
- •The doctor described the illness as intractable because it did not respond to treatment.
- •Intractable poverty remains a challenge for many countries.
- •Scientists struggle with intractable problems in climate change.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "intractable" like "hard" or "difficult" (A1 words), but much stronger—almost impossible to fix or control
- ✓Picture trying to untangle a huge knot in a rope that just keeps getting tighter no matter how you pull
- ✓It's the feeling of frustration when you try many times but cannot find a way to solve or calm something
- ✓Sounds like "in-TRACK-table" → imagine something stuck on a train track that cannot be moved or stopped easily
- ✓Think of a story where a character faces a problem that refuses to go away, no matter what they do
- ✓NOT like "easy" or "simple" problems that you can fix quickly—"intractable" means very stubborn or tough
- ✓NOT like "temporary" troubles that go away soon; intractable problems last a long time and resist change
- ✓NOT like "manageable" situations where you have control; intractable means you have little or no control
Try Other Words
- •Stubborn: refusing to change or be controlled (Use when describing people or attitudes that don’t change)
- •Unmanageable: impossible to control or deal with (Use when talking about situations or tasks that are too hard to handle)
- •Persistent: continuing for a long time without stopping (Use when emphasizing long-lasting problems)
- •Complex: having many parts and hard to understand (Use when difficulty comes from many details, not just stubbornness)
Unboxing
- •Prefix: "in-" meaning "not"
- •Root: "tract" from Latin "tractus," meaning "to pull" or "draw"
- •Suffix: "-able" meaning "able to be"
- •Etymology: From Latin "intractabilis," meaning "not able to be drawn or pulled" (not manageable)
- •Historical development: Originally used to describe things that cannot be physically pulled or controlled; now used more for difficult situations or people
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in formal or academic language to describe very difficult problems or people who are hard to manage
Reflect & Connect
•What kinds of problems in your life or community might be described as intractable? Why?
•How can understanding the word "intractable" help you approach difficult situations differently?
Fill in the blanks
1.The negotiations were intractable because both sides refused to ___ their demands.
2.An intractable problem often requires ___ solutions that are different from usual methods.
3.Unlike simple problems, intractable issues do not ___ easily, even after many attempts.
4.When someone is described as intractable, it means they are very ___ to change their mind.
5.Doctors sometimes face intractable diseases that do not ___ to normal treatments.
6.The conflict became intractable due to ___ disagreements and lack of trust.
7.Intractable situations often cause feelings of ___ because they seem impossible to fix.