Refractory (Adjective)
Meaning 1
Not responding to treatment; "a stubborn infection"; "a refractory case of acne"; "stubborn rust stains".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The patient's refractory case of tuberculosis required a specialized treatment regimen.
- The doctor struggled to find an effective medication for the refractory pain that had been plaguing her patient for months.
- After trying several different cleaning products, the homeowner was left with a refractory stain on the carpet that refused to budge.
- The athlete's refractory injury had kept her sidelined for weeks, and she was starting to lose hope of returning to competition.
- The dermatologist was stumped by the refractory case of eczema that had resisted every treatment she had tried so far.
Synonyms
Related Words
Meaning 2
Temporarily unresponsive or not fully responsive to a process or stimulus; "the refractory period of a muscle fiber".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Meaning 3
Stubbornly resistant to authority or control; "a fractious animal that would not submit to the harness"; "a refractory child".
Classification
All adjective clusters.