Intractable

Meaning

Too difficult to manage, control, or solve; stubbornly resistant to change or resolution

Origin / Etymology

Latin intractabilis, in (not) + tractabilis (manageable)

Synonyms

Stubborn Obstinate Unyielding Unresolvable

Antonyms

Tractable Manageable Solvable Amenable

Example Sentence

"Poverty in backward districts has proven intractable despite decades of targeted schemes, pointing to structural barriers that direct transfers cannot address alone."

🎯 UPSC Usage

Use in Mains when describing persistent policy challenges: 'intractable poverty', 'intractable conflict', 'intractable bureaucratic resistance'. Strong word for essay conclusions where you acknowledge complexity without abandoning hope for solutions. Pair with words like 'structural', 'multi-dimensional', and 'entrenched'.

Relevant Subjects