recalcitrant
UK: /rɪˈkæl.sɪ.trənt/ | US: /rɪˈkæl.sə.trənt/
adj. stubbornly resistant to authority or control
adj. unwilling to obey rules or follow instructions
The word "recalcitrant" originates from Latin recalcitrare, meaning "to kick back" (from re- "back" + calcitrare "to kick," derived from calx "heel"). It originally described a horse kicking backward against its rider, later metaphorically extended to describe human defiance or resistance. The morpheme calcitr- preserves the "kicking" imagery, while -ant turns it into an adjective.
The recalcitrant student refused to follow the teacher’s instructions.
Despite warnings, the recalcitrant employee continued to ignore company policies.
The recalcitrant mule wouldn’t move no matter how hard the farmer pulled.
Her recalcitrant attitude made negotiations nearly impossible.
The government struggled to manage recalcitrant factions within the coalition.