stubborn

[stuhb-ern] / ˈstʌb ərn /

ADJECTIVE

obstinate, unyielding

Synonyms

STRONGEST

adamant determined dogged headstrong inflexible intractable ornery persistent perverse relentless rigid single-minded steadfast tenacious tough unshakable willful

WEAK

balky bloody-minded bullheaded cantankerous contumacious cussed firm fixed hang-tough hardheaded inexorable insubordinate mulish obdurate opinionated persevering pertinacious pigheaded rebellious recalcitrant refractory self-willed set in one's ways stiff-necked unbending unmanageable unreasonable untoward

Antonyms

STRONGEST

flexible irresolute kind nice pliable pliant reasonable soft submissive surrendering weak willing yielding

WEAK

broad-minded complacent compliant giving

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.

“The Spartans’ stubborn refusal to share their wealth and conquests with other Greeks limited their potential to grow,” he writes.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026

Extreme demand suggests prices won’t ease anytime soon, adding another worry for the Federal Reserve as it struggles to reduce stubborn inflation.

From MarketWatch • May 20, 2026

Doku's goal opened the scoring against the stubborn Bees, cutting inside and curling in a delightful finish just as he did to rescue a last-gasp draw at Everton on Monday.

From BBC • May 9, 2026

Firefighters filled it with foam and water to extinguish the stubborn flames.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

Finn looked like he wanted to act stubborn, but he’d gotten stuck on forlorn.

From "The Strangers" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Vocabulary lists containing stubborn

The Cay

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Twelve Angry Men

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"What, of This Goldfish, Would You Wish?" Vocabulary from the short story

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