Definition of INTRANSIGENT (original) (raw)
: characterized by refusal to compromise or to abandon an often extreme position or attitude : uncompromising
intransigent in their opposition
Did you know?
Intransigent comes from Spanish intransigente, meaning "uncompromising." Its root is transigir ("to compromise"), which is related to Latin transigere ("to come to an agreement"). The French have a similar verb, transiger, which also means "to compromise." Transigent as an opposite of intransigent has yet to become recognized as an acceptable word in the English language.
Synonyms
Examples of intransigent in a Sentence
He has remained intransigent in his opposition to the proposal. he has remained intransigent, refusing all suggestions for improvement of the process
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Furthermore, the practice is tightly bound to the seemingly intransigent social marginalization of women. —
Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024 Airbnb soon had agreements with more than a hundred cities, and when local politicians proved _intransigent_—leaders in Austin, for instance, seemed immune to Airbnb’s overtures—the company simply went over their heads. —Charles Duhigg, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024 That would leave a victorious Labor party and prospective new prime minister, Keir Starmer, facing a far more extremist and intransigent political opposition. —Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2024 The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Hamas announcement could be a ruse to make Israel appear intransigent. —Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 7 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for intransigent 
Word History
Etymology
Spanish intransigente, from in- + transigente, present participle of transigir to compromise, from Latin transigere to come to an agreement — more at transact
First Known Use
circa 1879, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of intransigent was circa 1879
Dictionary Entries Near intransigent
Cite this Entry
“Intransigent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intransigent. Accessed 9 Nov. 2024.
Share
More from Merriam-Webster on intransigent
Last Updated: 28 Oct 2024 - Updated example sentences
Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!