Make Your Point > Archived Issues > INTRANSIGENT
Send Make Your Point issues straight to your inbox.
pronounce
INTRANSIGENT:
Say it "in TRAN zuh jent."
To hear it, click here.
connect this word to others:
If you've ever tried to reach an agreement or a compromise with someone intransigent--someone who won't budge, like the rock below--then you know how frustrating it is to deal with their intransigence.
Or, in other words, how frustrating it is to deal with their _d_m_nc_, their _bd_r_cy, or their t_n_c_ty.
Could you recall those three synonyms of intransigence?
(To reveal any word with blanks, give it a click.)
definition:
In Latin, transigere means "to accomplish something, or to come to an agreement." (Or, more literally, "to drive through.")
This transigere entered Spanish with the same meaning, and around 1873, a Spanish far left political party started referring to themselves as los intransigentes: "those who won't compromise."
The label quickly entered English, and since about 1883, we've used the word "intransigent" to describe people who won't compromise: people who won't come to an understanding or an agreement.
In other words, to be intransigent is to be stubborn, rigid, and unwilling to compromise.
grammatical bits:
Part of speech:
Adjective: "their intransigent attitude;" "These people remain intransigent."
Other common forms:
Intransigence, intransigently.
Wait, what about "transigent"? Isn't that the opposite? Doesn't it mean "compromising, agreeable, willing to come to an agreement?"
Sure, you could use that word, and people would know what you mean. But it's not listed in dictionaries.
When you think about how "intransigent" came into English from Spanish as a cool word for people who won't budge, it makes sense that we never had a reason to take the word "transigent" into our language.
how to use it:
This word is harsh and formal, with a political flavor.
You might talk about intransigent people and groups; intransigent attitudes, thinking, and assumptions; and even intransigent problems, obstacles, diseases, processes, traditions, etc.
examples:
"I am a soldier and I consider myself a proponent of the Second Amendment. But I believe first in taking all possible measures to protect fragile children. That demands compromise in what too often is an intransigent debate with no middle ground."
— Zheala Qayyum, Scientific American, 26 February 2019
"According to corporate education reformers, our country’s education crisis is produced not by systematic underfunding and social inequality, but rather by the inherent inefficiencies of the public sector, intransigent unions, and bad teachers."
— Dr. Heather Gautney and Eric Blanc, The Guardian, 17 February 2020
has this page helped you understand "intransigent"?
study it:
Explain the meaning of "intransigent" without saying "adamant" or "obstinate."
try it out:
In the Washington Post, Soraya Chemaly lists "intransigent" myths about anger: that "men are angrier than women," that "venting makes you feel better," and that "anger is destructive," among others.
First, talk about what it means for a myth to be intransigent. Then, see if you can give some other examples of intransigent myths.
before you review, play:
Try to spend 20 seconds or more on the game below. Don’t skip straight to the review—first, let your working memory empty out.
Our game for November is "SpongeBob Shakespeare."
Check out the goofy quote below. Is it from SpongeBob Squarepants, or is it a modern-English version of a quote from Shakespeare?
I'll list the answer at the bottom of each issue. Enjoy!
Try this one today:
"There it is. The finest eating establishment ever established for eating."
review this word:
1. The precise opposite of INTRANSIGENT would be TRANSIGENT, which we don't use in English. But a pretty close opposite of INTRANSIGENT is
A. FLEXIBLE.
B. CONCEIVABLE.
C. COMPASSIONATE.
2. If you're intransigent, you won't even _____.
A. laugh along with children
B. give credit where credit is due
C. show up to the negotiation table
a final word:
I hope you're enjoying Make Your Point. It's made with love.
I'm Liesl Johnson, a reading and writing tutor on a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate words.
From my blog:
36 ways to study words.
Why we forget words, & how to remember them.
How to use sophisticated words without being awkward.
To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact me at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.
Disclaimer: When I write definitions, I use plain language and stick to the words' common, useful applications. If you're interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words, I encourage you to check a dictionary. Also, because I'm American, I stick to American English when I share words' meanings, usage, and pronunciations; these elements sometimes vary across world Englishes.
If you've ever tried to reach an agreement or a compromise with someone intransigent--someone who won't budge, like the rock below--then you know how frustrating it is to deal with their intransigence.
In Latin, transigere means "to accomplish something, or to come to an agreement." (Or, more literally, "to drive through.")
Part of speech:
This word is harsh and formal, with a political flavor.
"I am a soldier and I consider myself a proponent of the Second Amendment. But I believe first in taking all possible measures to protect fragile children. That demands compromise in what too often is an intransigent debate with no middle ground."
Explain the meaning of "intransigent" without saying "adamant" or "obstinate."
In the Washington Post, Soraya Chemaly lists "intransigent" myths about anger: that "men are angrier than women," that "venting makes you feel better," and that "anger is destructive," among others.
Try to spend 20 seconds or more on the game below. Don’t skip straight to the review—first, let your working memory empty out.
I hope you're enjoying Make Your Point. It's made with love.
|