Intransigent describes a person or position that refusesdeclines to accept or do something; says no firmly to change, compromise, or listen to persuasionthe act of trying to convince someone to agree or act. It is often used about attitudes, politics, or arguments where someone stays firmly opposedagainst something; not in favor of it.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ɪnˈtræn.sə.dʒənt/
Easy pronunciation: in-TRAN-si-jent (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the second syllable: TRAN.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Intransigent Meaning
refusing to change your mind or compromise
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: Impervious to pleas, persuasion, requests, or reason.
Example: The negotiators remained intransigent and rejected every compromise.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- adamant — A strong substitute when someone is firmly refusing to change their position.
- adamantine — Can fit in a formal sense, though it is less common in everyday English.
- inexorable — Works when the idea is unyielding, though it often suggests a force or process as well as a person.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Intransigent Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- adamant
- inexorable
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using intransigent to mean simply stubborn in an ordinary, casual way; it usually sounds more formal and stronger.
- Confusing intransigent with intransitive, which is a grammar term and has a completely different meaning.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does intransigent mean?
Intransigent means unwilling to change, compromise, or be persuaded.
What is a synonym for intransigent?
Strong synonyms include adamant and, in some contexts, inexorable.
Is intransigent a positive or negative word?
It is usually negative, because it suggests an unwillingness to cooperate or compromise.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
