The difference between Recalcitrant and Stubborn

When used as nouns, recalcitrant means a person who is recalcitrant, whereas stubborn means stubbornness.

When used as adjectives, recalcitrant means marked by a stubborn unwillingness to obey authority, whereas stubborn means refusing to move or to change one's opinion.

check bellow for the other definitions of Recalcitrant and Stubborn

  1. Recalcitrant as an adjective:

    Marked by a stubborn unwillingness to obey authority.

  2. Recalcitrant as an adjective:

    Unwilling to cooperate socially.

  3. Recalcitrant as an adjective:

    Difficult to deal with or to operate.

  4. Recalcitrant as an adjective (botany, of seed, pollen, spores):

    Not viable for an extended period; damaged by drying or freezing.

  1. Recalcitrant as a noun:

    A person who is recalcitrant.

  1. Stubborn as an adjective:

    Refusing to move or to change one's opinion; obstinate; firmly resisting; persistent in doing something.

    Examples:

    "He is pretty stubborn about his political beliefs, so why bother arguing?"

    "Blood can make a very stubborn stain on fabrics if not washed properly."

  2. Stubborn as an adjective:

    Of materials: physically stiff and inflexible; not easily melted or worked.

  1. Stubborn as a noun (informal):

    Stubbornness.

  2. Stubborn as a noun:

    A disease of citrus trees characterized by stunted growth and misshapen fruit, caused by .

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