intransigent
Unwilling to change an opinion or agree with others.
ExampleThe leader remained intransigent even after the evidence changed.
ExampleNegotiations failed because both sides were intransigent.
Usage Scenarios
Negotiation context
Use intransigent when compromise fails because someone refuses to move.
ExampleThe talks collapsed because the committee remained intransigent.
Argument context
Use it when evidence does not change someone's position.
ExampleEven after the data was corrected, the critic was intransigent.
Usage Guide
Use intransigent when a GRE sentence emphasizes stubborn refusal to compromise. It often appears in political, argumentative, or negotiation contexts.
Strong chunks include remain intransigent, intransigent stance, intransigent opponent, and intransigent refusal in debates or negotiations.
Do not use intransigent for simple confidence. It means stubborn unwillingness to change, usually with a negative tone.
Word Forms & Word Building
Intransigent contains in-, meaning not, plus a root related to transigence, or coming to an agreement. The word-building idea is not crossing over to compromise.
Intransigence is the noun formed with -ence. It names the quality of refusing compromise.
Intransigently is the -ly adverb, but GRE sentences more often use intransigent stance or intransigence.
Meaning Boundaries
Intransigent vs firm
Firm can be positive. Intransigent is usually negative because it suggests unreasonable refusal.
Intransigent vs obstinate
Both mean stubborn. Intransigent often appears in formal contexts involving negotiation or principles.
Register
Intransigent is formal and common in GRE passages about politics, criticism, reform, and debate.
Memory Tricks
Think no compromise, especially when pressure, evidence, or negotiation should have encouraged someone to move.
Pair it with stance and opponent for GRE political or argumentative contexts.
Look for clues like refused, would not yield, uncompromising, or stubborn.
Common Traps
Do not use intransigent for someone who simply has a strong opinion but can still listen.
Do not confuse intransigent with transient. Transient means temporary.
The noun is intransigence, not intransigency, and it names refusal to compromise.