1
as in smart
having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment
a hardheaded politician who never hesitated to set aside principle in favor of expediency
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stubborn
sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
Granny remained hardheaded about keeping her house and not moving into a nursing home
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3
as in pragmatic
willing to see things as they really are and deal with them sensibly
a hardheaded minister who understands the difficulties teenagers face today
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Recent Examples of hardheaded
Kayce sells Yellowstone Ranch for $1.25 an acre and Elsa Dutton rises from the dead to declare victory
Kayce cryptically suggested the Yellowstone sale at the end of last week's episode, and the hardheaded financial wonder Beth loved the idea.
—
Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
When Buck resigned, the conservative cited a flank of the Republican Party’s hardheaded politics and unwavering devotion to Trump — traits that made Boebert a name brand.
—Jesse Bedayn, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2024
There’s a poignancy in this confession, but also a hardheaded aspect.
—Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 2 June 2024
Over his lifetime, Aron was a hardheaded defender of liberal values in the face of fascist and totalitarian ideological challengers.
—Raymond Aron, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for hardheaded
Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
When Buck resigned, the conservative cited a flank of the Republican Party’s hardheaded politics and unwavering devotion to Trump — traits that made Boebert a name brand.
—Jesse Bedayn, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2024
There’s a poignancy in this confession, but also a hardheaded aspect.
—Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 2 June 2024
Over his lifetime, Aron was a hardheaded defender of liberal values in the face of fascist and totalitarian ideological challengers.
—Raymond Aron, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for hardheaded
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardheaded
Adjective
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From supporting local zoning reforms to promoting smart federal investments, our goal is simple: expand access to homeownership.—
Collyn Wainwright,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
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That’s where the real value is, and that’s what smart leadership looks like.—
Paul Getter,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The Myth That Won’t Die: 'Nobody Scrolls' For years, there’s been this stubborn idea in web design that everything important has to be above the fold.—
Talie Smith,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
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Detailing exactly how scientists made this new discovery, the study chronicles the case of a 34-year-old woman who arrived at the NIH Clinical Center with a stubborn skin tumor on her forehead.—
Pranjal Malewar,
New Atlas,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Considering the all pervasiveness of AI viewing, total AI-abstinence is not a pragmatic approach.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
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That’s the evergreen charm of the Hill family: their pragmatic belief that helping out is just what neighbors do.—
Adrienne Matei,
The Atlantic,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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But Tocqueville’s shrewder observation is that rising legal and economic equality indirectly produces social inequality as the dominant class is forced to confront the prospect of forfeiting its dominance.—
Andrea Long Chu,
Vulture,
5 Aug. 2025
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The Houston Astros might have been the shrewdest deadline buyer.—
Tony Blengino,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The Yankees have been adamant that Fried’s blister has nothing to do with his struggles.—
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
21 Aug. 2025
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However, Noem was adamant that the new black paint update is the deterrent the U.S. needs to secure the Mexican border.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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An astute judge of talent, Reid also suggested John Bonham fill the drum chair in Led Zeppelin.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Aug. 2025
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Andy, in his most astute moment of the episode, points out that Jax does have control.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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But even if that doesn't end up being realistic, this is still a pretty neat bit of physics.—
Andrew Cunningham,
ArsTechnica,
14 Aug. 2025
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Rodrigo Muniz is the other link which has been hanging over the club for two months with no realistic signs of completion at time of writing.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Living the Average Ordinary Way As a lifestyle, Average Ordinary encourages practical steps to embrace imperfection and find joy in the every day: • Savor Small Moments: Take five minutes daily to notice something ordinary—a warm meal, a familiar song, a quiet evening.—
Michele Zanello,
Rolling Stone,
19 Aug. 2025
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Given that the 68-year-old Rowland had completed his sentences, the practical impact of the pardon for him was limited.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hardheaded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardheaded. Accessed 24 Aug. 2025.
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