Thesaurus

headstrong

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of headstrong

1 given to resisting control or discipline by others

a headstrong child who likes to test the limits of his parentsʼ patience

Synonyms of headstrong

froward, incontrollable, intractable, recalcitrant, refractory, uncontrollable, ungovernable, unmanageable, unruly, untoward, wayward, willful (or wilful)

Words Related to headstrong

bullheaded, contrary, difficult, hardheaded, incorrigible, intransigent, mulish, obdurate, obstinate, opinionated, perverse, pigheaded, self-willed, stiff, stiff-necked, stubborn

undisciplined, unpunished

uncontrolled, wild

boisterous, irrepressible, rambunctious, rowdy

disobedient, indocile, insubordinate, rebellious

misbehaving, naughty

Phrases Synonymous with headstrong

out of hand

Near Antonyms of headstrong

docile, obedient, well-behaved

compliant, placable, pliable, submissive, yielding

accepting, persuadable, receptive, responsive, willing

reasonable, temperate, trainable

Antonyms of headstrong

controllable, governable, manageable, tractable

2 sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion

the tenants of the building remain headstrong in their determination not to be evicted by the developer

Synonyms of headstrong

adamant, adamantine, bullheaded, dogged, hard, hard-nosed, hardened, hardheaded, immovable, implacable, inconvincible, inflexible, intransigent, mulish, obdurate, obstinate, opinionated, ossified, pat, pertinacious, perverse, pigheaded, self-opinionated, self-willed, stiff-necked, stubborn, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unyielding, willful (or wilful)

Words Related to headstrong

anal-retentive, obsessive

wayward, wrongheaded

determined, hell-bent, inexorable, persistent, relentless, resolved, set, single-minded, steadfast, stouthearted, tenacious, unflinching

firm, hard-line, hard-shell (or hard-shelled), iron, severe, stern, strict

hidebound, narrow-minded, rigid

bloody-minded [chiefly British], cantankerous

contrary, cussed

contumacious, disobedient, froward, insubordinate, intractable, recalcitrant, refractory, uncooperative, ungovernable, unmanageable, unruly

defiant, insurgent, mutinous

indomitable, invincible, unconquerable

confirmed, inveterate, unregenerate

demanding, exacting

Phrases Synonymous with headstrong

deaf to reason

Near Antonyms of headstrong

docile, obedient, placable, submissive, tractable

accepting, persuadable, receptive, responsive, willing

governable, manageable, reasonable, temperate

slavish, subservient

Antonyms of headstrong

acquiescent, agreeable, amenable, compliant, complying, flexible, pliable, pliant, relenting, yielding

Synonym Discussion of headstrong

unruly, ungovernable, intractable, refractory, recalcitrant, willful, headstrong mean not submissive to government or control. unruly implies lack of discipline or incapacity for discipline and often connotes waywardness or turbulence of behavior.

- unruly children

ungovernable implies either an escape from control or guidance or a state of being unsubdued and incapable of controlling oneself or being controlled by others.

- ungovernable rage

intractable suggests stubborn resistance to guidance or control.

- intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste dump

refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold.

- special schools for refractory children

recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority.

- acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace

willful implies an obstinate determination to have one's own way.

- a willful disregard for the rights of others

headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion.

- a headstrong young cavalry officer

Learn More about headstrong

See words that rhyme with headstrong Dictionary: Definition of headstrong Spanish Central: Translation of headstrong Nglish: Translation of headstrong for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up headstrong? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments

WORD OF THE DAY

henchman

a trusted follower

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games