tractable

adjective trac·ta·ble \ˈtrak-tə-bəl\

: easily managed or controlled

: willing to learn or be guided by another

Full Definition of TRACTABLE

: capable of being easily led, taught, or controlled : docile <a tractable horse>

: easily handled, managed, or wrought : malleable

— trac·ta·bil·i·ty \ˌtrak-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— trac·ta·ble·ness \ˈtrak-tə-bəl-nəs\ noun

— trac·ta·bly \-blē\ adverb

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Origin of TRACTABLE

Latin tractabilis, from tractare to handle, treat

First Known Use: 1502

Related to TRACTABLE

Synonyms: amenable, biddable, compliant, conformable, docile, law-abiding, submissive, obedient

Antonyms: balky, contrary, contumacious, defiant, disobedient, froward, incompliant, insubordinate, intractable, noncompliant, obstreperous, rebel, rebellious, recalcitrant, refractory, restive, unamenable, ungovernable, unruly, untoward, wayward, willful (or wilful)

Synonym Discussion of TRACTABLE

obedient, docile, tractable, amenable mean submissive to the will of another. obedient implies compliance with the demands or requests of one in authority <obedient to the government>. docile implies a predisposition to submit readily to control or guidance <a docile child>. tractable suggests having a character that permits easy handling or managing <tractable animals>. amenable suggests a willingness to yield or cooperate because of a desire to be agreeable or because of a natural open-mindedness <amenable to new ideas>.

Rhymes with TRACTABLE

actable

Learn More About TRACTABLE

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "tractable"

Britannica English: Translation of "tractable" for Arabic speakers

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