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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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So far, there’s no word on price or availability for the earbuds or smart ring.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
16 May 2025
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Documenting lessons and celebrating smart risks strengthens the organization over time.—
Jason Richmond,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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When tragedy strikes on Michigan roads—when a car skids off an icy bend or a semi-truck barrels through a red light—victims are often left to face not only devastating injuries but also a daunting legal maze of corporate denials and stubborn insurers.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
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Get The Recipe Smart Move Similar recipes with beans and peas existed before then, but a challenge made to a stubborn chef named Helen Corbitt spurred the creation of Texas caviar.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
17 May 2025
Adjective
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This is a pragmatic time to do it, as canceling the programs after Artemis III saves NASA billions of dollars in upgrading the rocket for a singular purpose: assembling a Lunar Gateway of questionable use.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
13 May 2025
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Governance, therefore, needs a pragmatic approach tailored to organizational size, maturity and industry.—
Omar Turner,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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Roseman had obtained the 10th pick via shrewd trades, then traded up one spot to get Carter.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2025
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He was roasted by his party for negotiating with local Democrats to give them a seat on the township board in exchange for keeping the GOP majority, a move that looks shrewd today.—
Justin Kaufmann,
Axios,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The chairman was adamant this bill can still pass by Johnson's goal of Memorial Day.—
Lauren Peller,
ABC News,
16 May 2025
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Valli remains adamant about the importance of fashion as escapism.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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Paige makes the astute observation that Craig and Kyle are similar and need to be prodded along with kind words and attention with everything that happens.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
8 May 2025
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His astute management of a financial crisis in the Patriarchate of Jerusalem will be appealing to those concerned about the Vatican’s own parlous financial state.—
Aryn Baker,
Time,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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Overall, however, the realistic outlook isn’t great for six of the Dolphins’ eight draftees to make an impact from scrimmage as rookies.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
9 May 2025
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Manually conducting a deep analysis for every ETF is simply not a realistic option, exposing investors to insufficient analysis and missing profitable opportunities.—
David Trainer,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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States warn there could be 'unprecedented chaos' Jeremy Feigenbaum, a lawyer representing the states challenging Trump's policy, stressed the practical problems of not having a national standard for citizenship while the executive order is being litigated.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
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But overall, this affordable bed frame offers a good mix of pleasant aesthetics and practical storage solutions.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hardheaded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardheaded. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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