Intransigent: a clean, precise word for someone unyielding in their views.

Which of the following words best describes someone who is unyielding in their views?

• A. Acquiescent
• B. Cooperative
• C. Intransigent
• D. Submissive

Answer: (C)

The term that best describes someone who is unyielding in their views is "intransigent." This word conveys a strong sense of refusal to change one's position or beliefs, indicating someone who is steadfast and resolute. Intransigence often implies that the individual is uncompromising, regardless of arguments or persuasive efforts to convince them otherwise. This trait can be seen in various contexts, including negotiations or discussions where one party firmly holds their stance. The other terms do not carry the same connotation of rigidity. "Acquiescent" refers to someone who is willing to accept or agree to something passively, often without protest. "Cooperative" describes a person who is willing to work with others, showing flexibility and a readiness to adapt. Lastly, "submissive" suggests a tendency to yield to the authority or will of others rather than holding firm to one's beliefs. Therefore, intransigent is the most fitting choice when describing someone who is inflexible in their views.

Word choice that sticks: how “intransigent” plays in courtroom language and why it matters for RPR readers

Ever watched a debate where a single word changes the whole tone? In the world of stenography and courtroom transcripts, precision isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential. The way a speaker’s stance is described can tilt the nuance of a scene, and that’s exactly why a strong vocabulary matters for anyone moving along the RPR path. Let me walk you through one compact word that often comes up in discussions and why it sticks in the mind: intransigent.

A quick moment with a familiar question

Here’s the thing. You’ll see multiple-choice style questions that ask you to pick the word that best fits a description like “unyielding in their views.” The classic lineup looks something like this:

• A. Acquiescent

• B. Cooperative

• C. Intransigent

• D. Submissive

If you want the right answer, you’re not just looking for a synonym of “stubborn.” You’re hunting for the word that carries the strongest sense of not bending, no matter what.

The big reveal: Intransigent

The correct choice is Intransigent. It signals a stubborn resolve to stay put on a position, even when others push back or offer persuasive arguments. Intransigent isn’t just stubborn; it’s a kind of moral or strategic rigidity. Intransigence often shows up in negotiations or exchanges where one side refuses to budge.

Why this word matters in real transcripts

In court reporting, the exact word a witness, attorney, or judge uses can color the transcript’s meaning. Here’s how that nuance plays out:

• Precision over guesswork. If someone is described as intransigent, you’re signaling a firm, unyielding stance. If you used “uncooperative” or “rigid”, you’re still close, but the tone shifts a little. Some contexts call for the stronger sense of unyielding that intransigent provides.

• Tone and intent. Language isn’t just about what someone says; it’s about how they say it and how others react. A courtroom transcript often hinges on those moods. Intransigent helps convey a sense of uncompromising posture that might drive the moment.

• Legal consequence. Intransigence can affect the dynamics of settlement talks, witness credibility, or how aggressively a party stands their ground. Capturing that nuance can matter when a transcript is later reviewed for appeals or cross-examinations.

A quick glossary twist: other words and their shades

To really own the word, it helps to compare it with the neighbors:

• Acquiescent: not resisting; quietly agreeing or yielding. It suggests consent, sometimes without fanfare. In a transcript, you’d use this when someone signs off or accepts a proposal without protest.

• Cooperative: willing to work together; flexible in collaboration. This word conveys teamwork and adaptability, often a positive, constructive vibe.

• Submissive: yielding to others’ will; showing deference. In transcripts, this can describe someone who defers to authority or deflects direct confrontation.

The contrast matters. If you swap in the wrong term, you can unintentionally shift the perceived dynamics of a scene.

How to approach word questions in your notes (without getting stuck)

Let’s make this practical. When a vocabulary item pops up in a transcription-focused setting, here’s a straightforward way to approach it:

• Read the sentence or fragment in full. Context is king. A lone word often takes on meaning from nearby terms.

• Check the connotation. Does the sentence imply resistance, stubbornness, or openness? If resistance seems front and center, intransigent is a strong candidate.

• Compare opposites. Think along the lines of acquiescent or cooperative to contrast what the speaker is not.

• Use a mental test. If you replaced the word with another option, would the image change noticeably? If yes, you’ve likely found the right target.

• Anchor with a quick example. Imagine a real-life moment—a jury consultant insisting on a certain wording, a witness standing firm on a point. The strongest, unyielding descriptor that fits that moment is often the one you want.

A tiny practice round (without turning this into a full drill)

Here are a couple of bite-sized prompts to sharpen the eye for nuance. Answer with the word you’d pick, and then a quick note on why.

• Prompt 1: In a closing argument, the attorney notes the defendant’s stance as unwavering despite repeated questions. Which word fits best?

Options: A) Acquiescent B) Cooperative C) Intransigent D) Submissive

Answer: Intransigent. Why: the emphasis is on unyielding, not just passive resistance.

• Prompt 2: A negotiator smiles and nods, letting the other side set the terms. Which word fits?

Options: A) Acquiescent B) Intransigent C) Unyielding D) Staunch

Answer: Acquiescent. Why: the moment shows acceptance without protest, not rigidity.

• Prompt 3: A team lead invites diverse ideas and blends them into a plan. Which word best captures that spirit?

Options: A) Cooperative B) Intransigent C) Rigid D) Unfriendly

Answer: Cooperative. Why: it’s about collaboration and flexibility, not defiance.

Notice how the same handful of ideas can map to different moments depending on context? That’s exactly why you keep your ear tuned to connotation as well as denotation.

Rhetorical tools that help you keep the rhythm

You’ll notice a few stylistic tricks in real-world language that pop up again and again. Here are some you can borrow to strengthen your own notes and understanding:

• Short, punchy sentences for impact: “He is intransigent. He won’t shift.” Keeps the reader focused.

• Light contrasts to clarify meaning: “Acquiescent accepts; intransigent resists.”

• A touch of curiosity: “What makes a stance unyielding, and when does it serve a narrative better to stay firm?”

• Subtle anecdotes: a quick mental picture of a tense deposition can anchor the word’s feeling.

Putting it back into the RPR world

If you’re building a workflow around courtroom language while you train, here are a few tips that blend vocabulary with practical transcription skills:

• Build a mini-glossary. Keep a small list of key terms and their shades (intransigent, acquiescent, cooperative, submissive) with one-sentence example notes. The act of writing them down helps retention.

• Read for intent, not just content. When listening to a speaker, notice if the tone signals resistance or openness. The right descriptor often aligns with that mood.

• Practice with real-world sources. Listen to archived court footage or read transcripts where tone shifts. Note when a term is used and why that choice matters.

• Use root awareness. Understanding a prefix like in- (not) versus co- (together) isn’t just vocabulary trivia; it sharpens your instinct for nuance in fresh material.

A few more thoughts on the craft of accurate transcription

Beyond the single word, there’s a larger craft of accuracy. In the RPR world, you’re often asked to capture not only what is said but how it’s said. That’s where a precise term, even if it seems like a small detail, becomes a linchpin of the record. When a witness’s stance is described as intransigent, readers get a clearer sense of the interpersonal dynamics that shape a scene. That clarity can affect how a transcript reads later under scrutiny.

Let’s also acknowledge a little tension here. Language is alive, and people sometimes use words with a touch of exaggeration or emotional color. Your job as a reporter is to weigh the weight of a term against the actual speech. If a witness uses a strong label in the moment, you’ll want to reflect that intention—without inserting your own bias. Intransigent is a sturdy, non-flashy choice, but if the speaker’s not actually that rigid, you’d look for a term that matches the cadence more closely.

A small note on tone and audience

One of the joys of this work is that it sits at the intersection of precision and storytelling. The transcript isn’t a news article; it’s a faithful capture of what happened, with enough texture to convey tone. When you choose words like intransigent, you’re not just labeling a stance; you’re helping a future reader sense the scene—whether it’s a heated deposition, a contentious negotiation, or a calm, methodical cross-examination.

Final take: words with staying power

So, what’s the takeaway? When you encounter a question about someone’s stance, think first about the strength of that stance, then about the connotation behind the term. Intransigent stands out as the strongest descriptor for “unyielding in their views,” and it’s a useful tool in the transcriptionist’s toolkit. It’s not just a dictionary entry; it’s a lens for understanding how people hold their ground, how others react, and how a moment sounds in a courtroom.

If you’re curious about building your own phrase books, start with a handful of core opposites and a couple of vivid, real-world examples. Over time, you’ll find that the right word doesn’t just fill a line—it illuminates a scene, clarifies intent, and keeps your transcripts honest and readable. And that, in the end, is what good court reporting is all about: making language do exactly what it’s meant to do—tell the truth clearly, every time.