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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in persistence
a steadfast adherence to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
her unrelenting hardheadedness didn't win many friends, but it helped her to get her way most of the time
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in intelligence
exceptional discernment and judgment especially in practical matters
the hardheadedness of a bean counter
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of 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
Adjective
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardheaded
Adjective
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Read on for some of the best smart bird feeders available now.—
Bailey Berg,
Architectural Digest,
28 May 2025
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My family doctor sometimes gets me good care through sub-specialists — few actual doctors, but nonetheless smart people.—
Charles Hammer,
Kansas City Star,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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Still, the stubborn media silence continued unabated.—
Nate Rogers,
Vulture,
22 May 2025
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United needed to play perfect football to unlock a stubborn defence, but struggled to push past competency.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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The daughter of a generous and pragmatic father who worked for the Internal Revenue Service and a mother who wore a suit of armor over a devastating diagnosis.—
Brian Hamilton,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
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Many refugee writers demonstrate awareness of the fact that telling stories serves ends both personal and pragmatic, therapeutic and bureaucratic.—
Tim Brinkhof,
JSTOR Daily,
21 May 2025
Noun
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By doing this, Els revealed the persistence of a parallel Afrikaner consciousness that remembers Apartheid not with shame, but with pride and nostalgia.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 May 2025
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Your commitment will require endurance, grace, and persistence.—
Liz Simmons,
StyleCaster,
27 May 2025
Noun
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According to a new assessment from no fewer than 11 countries’ intelligence agencies, the hacker group has been targeting a broad array of technology and logistics firms involved in providing aid to Ukraine.—
Andy Greenberg,
Wired News,
24 May 2025
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The group is a terrorist organization made up of operatives, spies and intelligence officials from agencies around the world who want to create a new world order.—
Keith Langston,
People.com,
24 May 2025
Adjective
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To the world, Seema is a shrewd real estate broker.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
28 May 2025
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Wonderfully surreal, completely original, and frequently hilarious, La Máquina — which also stars Eiza González (3 Body Problem) as Eduardo’s shrewd ex-wife, Irasema — packs a powerful punch.—
EW Staff,
EW.com,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Following Meghan's statements, Eldridge is adamant that her relatable role isn't convincing.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
29 May 2025
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In early previews and pre-release memos, the developers have been adamant that, despite targeting a more casual audience with some more forgiving elements, this is meant to be enjoyed by people who have spent hundreds of hours in the main game and its 2024 expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2025
Noun
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In fact, research has found that some animal species may indeed use wit to strengthen their bonds in the same way that many have the capacity for love, fear, sorrow, guilt, anger, shame, disgust and empathy – and that primates smile and some rats can giggle.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
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Director Vanessa Stallings’ entertaining and breezy staging brims with razor-sharp wit, physical comedy and pop-out visual surprises.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hardheaded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardheaded. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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