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.

Kevin Warsh is to be sworn in as Fed chair on Friday, facing stubborn inflation and needing support from the Federal Open Market Committee.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

It was a game Arteta's men needed to win to avoid letting City back in but they struggled to break the Hammers' stubborn resistance.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

This stubborn defiance is also present in Chambers’ commitment to the “golden age” of decorative art.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

“Solid growth and no sign of fracture in the labor market left stubborn inflation as the morning’s economic headline,” says Ellen Zentner, chief economic strategist for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

With infinite difficulty, for he was stubborn as a stone, I persuaded him to make an exchange in favour of a sober black satin and pearl-grey silk.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

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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