Meaning: Stubbornly resistant to authority or guidance.
Hindi: हठी, अवज्ञाकारी
Synonyms: defiant, obstinate, uncooperative, unruly
Antonyms: compliant, obedient
Asked in: SSC Selection Post Ph-14 2026 (Graduate Level) · SSC Steno 2026 T-1 · SSC MTS 2025 · SSC Selection Post Ph-13 2025 · IB ACIO 2023 T-1 · SSC CPO 2022 T-2
recalcitrant in SSC previous-year questions
- SSC CPO 2022 T-2 Spelling
Select the INCORRECTLY spelt word.
Answer & explanation
Answer: A) Recalcitrent
Explanation:
• Let’s check the spelling of each option:
• Recalcitrent ❌ – Incorrect spelling.
The correct spelling is Recalcitrant, which means stubbornly disobedient.
• Lapse ✅ – Correct spelling. It means a temporary failure or slip.
• Mourning ✅ – Correct spelling. It refers to the expression of deep sorrow for someone’s death.
• Acquit ✅ – Correct spelling. It means to declare someone not guilty. - SSC MTS 2025 Spelling
Select the option with the correct spelling that can replace the underlined word in the given sentence. If the spelling in the given sentence is already correct, choose Option "No replacement required".
The recalcetrant student refused to obey even the simplest classroom rules.Answer & explanation
Answer: C) recalcitrant
Correct Answer: Option 3 — recalcitrant
"Recalcitrant" (meaning stubbornly disobedient and uncooperative) is the correct spelling. The word in the sentence, " recalcetrant ," has an incorrect vowel — 'e' instead of ' i ' — and must be replaced with "recalcitrant."
Why the other options are wrong:
Option 1 ( recalciterant ): Incorrect — extra 'e' inserted after ' i ,' making it ' recalciterant .'
Option 2 ( recalcitrent ): Incorrect — the ending should be '-ant,' not '- ent .'
Option 4 (No replacement required): Incorrect — the word in the sentence is misspelled and must be replaced. - SSC Selection Post Ph-13 2025 Synonyms
Identify the synonym of 'Recalcitrant':
Answer & explanation
Answer: B) Rebellious
'Recalcitrant' means stubbornly resisting authority or control. 'Rebellious' is the closest synonym.
'Compliant', 'Submissive' and 'Docile' all mean the opposite - obedient and cooperative. - SSC Selection Post Ph-13 2025 Spelling
Select the correctly spelled word meaning 'stubbornly resistant to authority'.
Answer & explanation
Answer: A) Recalcitrant
The correct spelling is 'Recalcitrant' meaning having an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority.
Option 1 (Recalcitrant) is correctly spelled.
Option 2 ( Recalcerant ) is wrong because it uses 'er' instead of 'it'.
Option 3 ( Recalcitrent ) is wrong as it uses ' ent ' instead of 'ant' at the end.
Option 4 (Ricalcitrant) is wrong because it incorrectly starts with 'Ri-' instead of 'Re -'. - SSC Selection Post Ph-14 2026 (Graduate Level) Spelling
Fill in the blank with the correctly spelt word.
The protestors remained ______ in their demands despite mounting pressure.Answer & explanation
Answer: D) recalcitrant
Meaning: recalcitrant = stubbornly refusing to obey or give in *(अड़ियल, हठी, अवज्ञाकारी)*.
Protestors who hold on to their demands *despite mounting pressure* are exactly that.
Build the spelling.
re + cal + ci + trant
r-e-c-a-l-c-i-t-r-a-n-t — one c after *re*, one c after *cal*, and the ending -trant.
Why the others are wrong.
#B reccalcitrant — doubles the first c (rec-c); the prefix is plain *re-*.
#B recalccitrant — doubles the second c (cal-cc); only one c follows *recal*.
#B recalceterant — writes *-ceterant* for -citrant; the vowel after the second c is i, and there is no *e* before *-rant*.
Word help.
mounting = steadily increasing *(बढ़ता हुआ)*.
Answer: recalcitrant
*Every co - SSC Steno 2026 T-1 Antonyms
What is the antonym of "Recalcitrant"?
Answer & explanation
Answer: C) Obedient
Meaning: recalcitrant = stubbornly refusing to obey authority *(अड़ियल, हठी, आज्ञा न मानने वाला)*.
The antonym must mean willing to obey.
obedient = doing what one is told, compliant *(आज्ञाकारी)* — the exact opposite.
Why the others are wrong.
• defiant = openly resisting authority *(अवज्ञाकारी, ढीठ)* — a synonym of recalcitrant.
• disobedient = refusing to obey *(अवज्ञाकारी, उद्दंड)* — also a synonym.
• rebellious = resisting control, rising against authority *(विद्रोही)* — the same side again.
*Recalcitrant comes from the Latin for kicking back with the heels — a mule that will not move.*
Examples
- “The recalcitrant student refused to follow the rules.”
recalcitrant – questions
What is the meaning of recalcitrant in Hindi?
recalcitrant means “हठी, अवज्ञाकारी” in Hindi. In English: Stubbornly resistant to authority or guidance.
What are the synonyms of recalcitrant?
Synonyms of recalcitrant: defiant, obstinate, uncooperative, unruly.
What is the opposite of recalcitrant?
Antonyms of recalcitrant: compliant, obedient.
Has recalcitrant been asked in SSC exams?
Yes – recalcitrant has been asked 6 times in SSC exams: SSC Selection Post Ph-14 2026 (Graduate Level), SSC Steno 2026 T-1, SSC MTS 2025, SSC Selection Post Ph-13 2025, IB ACIO 2023 T-1, SSC CPO 2022 T-2.