Definition of stubbornnext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word stubborn distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of stubborn are dogged, mulish, obstinate, and pertinacious. While all these words mean "fixed and unyielding in course or purpose," stubborn implies sturdiness in resisting change which may or may not be admirable.

a person too stubborn to admit error

When might dogged be a better fit than stubborn?

The meanings of dogged and stubborn largely overlap; however, dogged suggests an admirable often tenacious and unwavering persistence.

pursued the story with dogged perseverance

When is it sensible to use mulish instead of stubborn?

Although the words mulish and stubborn have much in common, mulish implies a thoroughly unreasonable obstinacy.

a mulish determination to have his own way

In what contexts can obstinate take the place of stubborn?

The synonyms obstinate and stubborn are sometimes interchangeable, but obstinate implies usually an unreasonable persistence.

an obstinate proponent of conspiracy theories

When could pertinacious be used to replace stubborn?

While in some cases nearly identical to stubborn, pertinacious suggests an annoying or irksome persistence.

a pertinacious salesclerk refusing to take no for an answer

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stubborn The team’s new contribution — a geometric approach — might lead to more progress on that stubborn problem. Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 26 June 2026 The tiles and artwork on the walls were smashed and smoldering, chunks still peeling away from the thankfully stubborn aerolite. Jeff Spry, Space.com, 26 June 2026 To some, the Galatasaray forward’s selection in the starting line-up is unfathomable and is now being used to portray Nagelsmann as stubborn or unwilling to react to performances. Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 26 June 2026 However, stubborn inflation continues to dilute some of this momentum. Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for stubborn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stubborn
Adjective
  • While waiting to go to court, Zaayer remained adamant that Shawna needed to go to prison but was also convinced that David — who worked at the nearby jail — was protecting his wife from receiving an adequate punishment, per The Guardian.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
  • But Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has been adamant that there are not enough votes in the Senate to pass the legislation, given the 60-vote filibuster threshold.
    Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 28 June 2026
Adjective
  • To his supporters, Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was the steadfast, fearless leader who transcended mere politics and inspired devotion.
    Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Each project generated steadfast opposition from the city's neighborhoods, calling into question how the city should regulate the advanced technology centers.
    Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • The things museums collect are often obstinate and unyielding; research and context can be a way of coaxing them to speak.
    Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 26 June 2026
  • The council is obstinate, dismissive.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Then, in 1930, Horkheimer, a brilliant, turbulent man with a melancholic streak, became director and instilled a more intransigent perspective.
    Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
  • This seemingly intransigent problem now has a solution, thanks to a team led by Rudich and Römer.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 19 May 2026
Adjective
  • Elle Woods, the headstrong sorority girl turned Harvard Law student played by Reese Witherspoon in the 2001 film, charms her way into the Ivy League law school through relentless studying and an out-of-the-box admissions video essay.
    Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2026
  • His easy-going temperament was supposed to backfire as the successor to an intense, headstrong predecessor.
    Sylvana Quader Sinha, Forbes.com, 15 June 2026
Adjective
  • In Beijing, the president scrapped hardheaded diplomacy in favor of an imagined personal bond.
    Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 18 May 2026
  • At the George offices, Berman loses it once and for all at John’s lateness, his indifference to the daily operations of the magazine, and his hardheaded refusal to consider the TV show.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stubborn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stubborn. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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