intractable — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Not tractable; not able to be managed, controlled, governed or directed.

   Examples

   And I cannot but expect that this will repeatedly lead to the discovery that an initially intractable problem can be factored after all.

2. Not able to be solved in polynomial time; too difficult to attempt to solve.

   Usage

   • of a mathematical problem

3. Difficult to deal with, solve, or manage. (of a problem)

   Examples

   Work—bureaucratic work in particular—poses a series of intractable dilemmas that often demand compromises with traditional moral beliefs.

4. Stubborn; obstinate. (of a person)

5. Difficult to treat (of a medical condition).

Adjective

1. not tractable; difficult to manage or mold

   Antonyms

   tractable

   Examples

   an intractable disposition

   intractable pain

   More examples (2)

   the most intractable issue of our era

   intractable metal