What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Recalcitrant vs Hostile - What's the difference?

recalcitrant | hostile | Related terms |

Recalcitrant is a related term of hostile.


As adjectives the difference between recalcitrant and hostile

is that recalcitrant is recalcitrant, rebellious while hostile is belonging or appropriate to an enemy; showing the disposition of an enemy; showing ill will and malevolence, or a desire to thwart and injure; occupied by an enemy or enemies; inimical; unfriendly.

As a noun hostile is

(chiefly|in the plural) an enemy.

recalcitrant

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Marked by a stubborn unwillingness to obey authority.
  • * 1908 , , "In Trust" in The Hermit and the Wild Woman and Other Stories :
  • His nimble fancy was recalcitrant to mental discipline.
  • * 1914 , , "Death at the Excelsior":
  • There was something in her manner so reminiscent of the school teacher reprimanding a recalcitrant pupil that Mr. Snyder's sense of humor came to his rescue.
  • * 1959 June 8, " Kenya: The Hola Scandal," Time :
  • Kenya's official "Cowan Plan," named after a colonial prison administrator, decreed that recalcitrant prisoners "be manhandled to the site and forced to carry out the task."
  • Unwilling to cooperate socially.
  • Difficult to deal with or to operate.
  • * 2003 , Robert G. Wetzel, Solar radiation as an ecosystem modulator'', in E. Walter Helbling, Horacio Zagarese (editors), ''UV Effects in Aquatic Organisms and Ecosystems , page 13:
  • The more labile organic constituents of complex dissolved and particulate organic matter are commonly hydrolyzed and metabolized more rapidly than more recalcitrant organic compounds that are less accessible enzymatically.
  • * 2004 , Derek W. Urwin, Germany: From Geographical Expression to Regional Accommodation'', in (editor), ''Regions and Regionalism in Europe , page 47:
  • The Hansa had no legal status, independent finances or a common institutional framework, while the major weapon against recalcitrant members (or opponents) was the threat of embargo.
  • * 2006 , Janet Pierrehumbert, Syllable structure and word structure: a study of triconsonantal clusters in English'', in Patricia A. Keating (editor), ''Phonological Structure and Phonetic Form , page 179:
  • Particularly recalcitrant examples which made it impossible to remove actual words while maintaining the balance of the set were resolved by altering a consonant in the base word to create a new base form.
  • * 2010 , Brian J. Hall, John C. Hall, Sauer's Manual of Skin Diseases , page 251:
  • However, when a clinician is faced with a more recalcitrant case, it is important to remember to ask the patient whether psychological, social, or occupational stress might be contributing to the activity of the skin disorder.
  • * '>citation
  • Not viable for an extended period; damaged by drying or freezing.
  • Synonyms

    * (stubbornly unwilling to obey authority) argumentative, disobedient * (difficult to operate or deal with) stubborn, unruly

    Antonyms

    * (stubbornly unwilling to obey authority) compliant, obedient * (difficult to operate or deal with) amenable, cooperative, eager * (not viable for long period) orthodox

    Derived terms

    * recalcitrance * recalcitrancy

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A person who is recalcitrant.
  • ----

    hostile

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Belonging or appropriate to an enemy; showing the disposition of an enemy; showing ill will and malevolence, or a desire to thwart and injure; occupied by an enemy or enemies; inimical; unfriendly
  • a hostile force
    hostile intentions
    a hostile country
    hostile to a sudden change

    Synonyms

    * antagonistic * hateful

    Antonyms

    * friendly

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (chiefly, in the plural) An enemy.
  • Anagrams

    * * ----