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.

Melamine sponges are known for removing stubborn stains without the need for extra chemicals.

From Science Daily • Apr. 18, 2026

For all the talk of a decline in the college wage premium, the stubborn fact is that college-educated women earn much more money than less-educated members of their cohort.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

The “restart timeline is a stubborn mule,” Raj told MarketWatch, and “repumping the battered energy heart is a multiyear demolition derby, not a weekend DIY.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

To the obvious fury of the judge, the prince's stubborn barrister David Sherborne often tested the boundaries of that decision.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

But he wasn’t just doing it to be stubborn and thumb his nose at the town.

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman

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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