hard-headed

ADJECTIVE

hardheaded

Synonyms

STRONGEST

astute hard-nosed headstrong obstinate practical pragmatic rational sensible shrewd sober unsentimental

WEAK

bullheaded cool hang-tough hard hard-boiled intractable level-headed locked-in mulish pertinacious perverse pigheaded realistic resolute standpat tough unyielding willful

Antonyms

STRONGEST

irrational stupid submissive unrealistic unreasonable

WEAK

yielding

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This is "proof that our pragmatic, hard-headed international engagement brings benefits at home", he added.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2026

“Having already slashed tariffs on whisky exports to India, we’re now doing the same with China—proof that our pragmatic, hard-headed international engagement brings benefits at home,” Starmer said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026

Andrew Cuomo—the hard-headed former governor of New York state —became something of a national hero in 2020 with his no-nonsense press conferences.

From Slate • Mar. 11, 2025

She framed much of her speech at the church as a conversation with God, describing herself over and over again as flawed, imperfect and hard-headed.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 14, 2024

Which surprised me, as hard-headed as he generally was.

From "Old Yeller" by Fred Gipson

hard-headed

Example Sentences

Related Words