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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 Inok/Getty Images Gold has been on a historic price run in recent years, repeatedly setting new price records and grabbing headlines as investors look for stability amid stubborn inflation concerns, shifting interest rate expectations and global uncertainty. Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026 The Ravens have enjoyed 18 years of slow, deliberate, almost stubborn growth. Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026 Her go-to is the Madison Reed Radiant Hair Color Kit, a $35 at-home hair color box that conceals 100 percent of stubborn grays and enhances shine. Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026 The state’s stubborn budget deficit is just one of the issues that continue to defy resolution as Newsom’s final year begins. Dan Walters, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stubborn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stubborn
Adjective
  • Not when Jaclyn is obstinate and over it.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Jan. 2026
  • These books can feel obstinate in their refusal of pleasure—an approach that does not seem to interest Berman in the slightest.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Stephen Miller made these comments on CNN and was adamant that this would happen.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Although the film would have been far easier to finance if the production took place in another country, Hadi was adamant about shooting in his homeland.
    Alissa Simon, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • In the complicated, thorny, offensive, manipulative, sometimes hilarious, sometimes uncomfortable video interview, which evokes the feeling of an uncle sitting down with his hardheaded nephew, Thug is reeling and full of so much anxiety that his legs are shaking.
    Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Flash mobs in the Loop are a real problem demanding hardheaded solutions.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • But now that Ifeachor departed the show between seasons, where does that leave the headstrong doctor?
    Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
  • The newest season showed Renner's character Mike McLusky confronting a gang war and contending with a headstrong new warden, played by Falco.
    Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • What alerted them to her location wasn’t footprints or a cell phone ping, however, but rather the sounds of her steadfast pup, Cami.
    Outside, Outside, 6 Jan. 2026
  • The year-on-year increases at each major are more modest, usually between 10 and 12 percent, but that percentage of tournament revenue remains steadfast, if not entirely immovable.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Public opinion has historically played a decisive role in shutdown fights, with voters often blaming the party seen as most intransigent.
    Nik Popli, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Although Congress and Allende had months to work for compromise solutions to the nation’s problems, both remained intransigent.
    Kristina Mani, The Conversation, 23 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stubborn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stubborn. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

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