Synonyms of headstrong

headstrong

adjective

ˈhed-ˌstrȯŋ 

1

as in stubborn

given to resisting control or discipline by others

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stubborn
• wilful
• rebellious
• willful
• uncontrollable
• wayward
• unruly
• unmanageable
• recalcitrant
• intractable
• out of hand
• difficult
• refractory
• naughty
• ungovernable
• obstinate
• opinionated
• incorrigible
• intransigent
• froward
• hardheaded
• incontrollable
• untoward
• undisciplined
• bullheaded
• pigheaded
• obdurate
• wild
• stiff
• boisterous
• rambunctious
• self-willed
• uncontrolled
• irrepressible
• mulish
• rowdy
• contrary
• disobedient
• insubordinate
• unpunished
• stiff-necked
• perverse
• indocile
• misbehaving

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• manageable
• obedient
• tractable
• docile
• controllable
• submissive
• compliant
• well-behaved
• pliable
• responsive
• willing
• governable
• receptive
• reasonable
• accepting
• yielding
• placable
• temperate
• trainable
• persuadable

2

as in adamant

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 & Similar Words

• stubborn
• adamant
• steadfast
• opinionated
• hardened
• obstinate
• wilful
• willful
• bullheaded
• hardheaded
• intransigent
• obsessive
• uncompromising
• implacable
• unbending
• obdurate
• pigheaded
• mulish
• unyielding
• inflexible
• pertinacious
• self-willed
• dogged
• unrelenting
• determined
• hard-nosed
• hard
• immovable
• persistent
• adamantine
• strict
• ossified
• pat
• stiff-necked
• perverse
• self-opinionated
• relentless
• tenacious
• defiant
• inconvincible
• wayward
• stern
• deaf to reason
• cantankerous
• unflinching
• iron
• resolved
• wrongheaded
• rigid
• severe
• single-minded
• inexorable
• hard-line
• narrow-minded
• indomitable
• disobedient
• hidebound
• unruly
• uncooperative
• stouthearted
• mutinous
• insubordinate
• contumacious
• unmanageable
• recalcitrant
• firm
• bloody-minded
• intractable
• invincible
• anal-retentive
• hard-shell
• contrary
• refractory
• unconquerable
• hard-shelled
• ungovernable
• hell-bent
• froward
• inveterate
• insurgent
• set
• cussed
• exacting
• confirmed
• demanding
• unregenerate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• flexible
• agreeable
• compliant
• obedient
• submissive
• acquiescent
• docile
• amenable
• pliant
• pliable
• complying
• tractable
• yielding
• responsive
• willing
• receptive
• reasonable
• accepting
• placable
• manageable
• relenting
• temperate
• subservient
• persuadable
• slavish
• governable

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective headstrong differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of headstrong are intractable, recalcitrant, refractory, ungovernable, unruly, and willful. While all these words mean "not submissive to government or control," headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion.

a headstrong young cavalry officer

When can intractable be used instead of headstrong?

The words intractable and headstrong are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, intractable suggests stubborn resistance to guidance or control.

intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste dump

When would recalcitrant be a good substitute for headstrong?

The words recalcitrant and headstrong can be used in similar contexts, but recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority.

acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace

When could refractory be used to replace headstrong?

While in some cases nearly identical to headstrong, refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold.

special schools for refractory children

When might ungovernable be a better fit than headstrong?

The meanings of ungovernable and headstrong largely overlap; however, 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

Where would unruly be a reasonable alternative to headstrong?

While the synonyms unruly and headstrong are close in meaning, unruly implies lack of discipline or incapacity for discipline and often connotes waywardness or turbulence of behavior.

unruly children

In what contexts can willful take the place of headstrong?

In some situations, the words willful and headstrong are roughly equivalent. However, willful implies an obstinate determination to have one's own way.

a willful disregard for the rights of others

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of headstrong

Fickell knows the perception of Vrabel, the headstrong former linebacker who doesn’t take s— from anyone. —Chad Graff, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025

That wasn’t entirely fair to the author herself, whose headstrong, unglamorous heroines and cutting observations about class and status had kept her work fresh for centuries. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025

Elena holds her headstrong, intellectually gifted friend Lila in reverent admiration, but the girls’ paths diverge when Lila, who cannot afford to continue her education, marries an abusive man, while Elena goes to university and becomes a writer. —Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025

First, Butler and Riley, who joined the franchise in 1995, have headstrong personalities. —James Jackson, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025