STUBBORN Synonyms: 112 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

stubborn

adjective

ˈstə-bərn

Definition of stubborn

as in obstinate

sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion he's just being stubborn, refusing even to try the new toothpaste

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Picking at a bite or the scab reinjures the skin and restarts the inflammation cycle, which makes dark spots more likely and more stubborn. — Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026 This two-piece Jason Markk kit includes a soft horsehair brush for cleaning suede without roughing it up, plus an eraser for removing stubborn dirt and marks. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 19 Aug. 2026 Consider ordinary supernatural tropes absolutely wrecked while Faust treats history itself like a stubborn poltergeist. — Shane Hawk, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026 Shifting Gears follows Matt (Tim Allen), the stubborn, widowed owner of a classic car restoration shop. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stubborn

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stubborn

Adjective

Coach Ryan Day has been adamant most of his career that Ohio State will remain Ohio State no matter who is calling plays.

— Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Vendors say business will continue after Parlor The food tenants who have spoken out about the sudden closure have all been adamant that this isn’t where their businesses end.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of adamant

Adjective

And the Ithacan more than lives up to his reputation as the most obstinate hero in history, regularly taunting Poseidon (Miles Anderson) despite knowing the god will delay his return home.

— Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 24 July 2026
When councilman Steve Novick threatened to sue, the Blazers recoiled and became obstinate.

— Jason Quick, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Definition of obstinate

Adjective

Gorbachev, hamstrung by demands from hard-liners back in Moscow, was equally intransigent that no deal could be made so long as SDI was in the works.

— Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026
Netanyahu and Hamas’s leadership remained intransigent, and the war continued into 2025.

— Dafna H. Rand, Foreign Affairs, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of intransigent

Adjective

On her second release, the Atlanta rapper balances her headstrong flexes and creaky, idiosyncratic voice with clean plugg production and newfound poise.

— Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 16 July 2026
Though older and a bit more modern than the iconically curious and headstrong original, she has not been updated with contemporary attitudes.

— Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Definition of headstrong

Adjective

Andrea Suarez leads a group, We Heart Seattle, that combines care for the homeless with a hardheaded insistence on legal consequences and addiction treatment for drug users.

— Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 30 July 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

Definition of hardheaded

Browse Nearby Words

stubbly

stubborn

stubbornly

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“Stubborn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stubborn. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of stubborn

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