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.

Here’s what each candidate said about the need to address the state’s housing shortage and its stubborn homeless problem:

From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2026

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

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

Asian markets fell Wednesday as surging bond yields and stubborn inflation concerns knocked an investor confidence already shaken by US President Donald Trump's renewed threats of striking Iran.

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

Molly was out, which was probably for the best, because Molly took stubborn to an art form and could not be convinced to trust Boaz.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

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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