HEADSTRONG Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

headstrong

adjective

ˈhed-ˌstrȯŋ

Definition of headstrong

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of headstrong Perhaps the most touching part of the film involves Justine Musk, Elon’s first wife, talking about how Vivian Jenna Wilson, their trans daughter (one of the couple’s five surviving children), has grown into such a headstrong and formidable person. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026 On her second release, the Atlanta rapper balances her headstrong flexes and creaky, idiosyncratic voice with clean plugg production and newfound poise. — Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 16 July 2026 Though older and a bit more modern than the iconically curious and headstrong original, she has not been updated with contemporary attitudes. — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 His easy-going temperament was supposed to backfire as the successor to an intense, headstrong predecessor. — Sylvana Quader Sinha, Forbes.com, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for headstrong

Recent Examples of Synonyms for headstrong

Adjective

But Democrats face a tall task ahead, economists say, especially because the broader economic challenges that vexed voters stem from global conflicts like the Iran war and stubborn inflation.

— Mirtha Donastorg, AJC.com, 6 Nov. 2026
With corporate profits and consumer spending remaining healthy, layoffs also remain low despite stubborn inflation and recent jitters in the stock market over whether the pace of AI investment is sustainable.

— Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of stubborn

Adjective

On the younger side was Matthew Briggs, who was adamant to see Brooks live despite only knowing one song.

— Rashad Alexander November 7, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2026
Regardless, Republican Sam Matthews, an at-times independent voter who dropped into the Ohio GOP bus tour launch party in Strongsville, remained adamant Democrats continued to be too extreme for most of the electorate.

— Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of adamant

Adjective

With its choppy layers, tousled texture, and extra length at the nape, this wolf cut brought a rebellious twist to her usual regal aesthetic.

— Amanda Le, InStyle, 4 Nov. 2026
The selection also features Dutch director Sabine Lubbe Bakker’s Premier Souffle, exploring whether a rebellious outsider can find her place in the world after years of isolation from her community.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of rebellious

Adjective

At what point does separating the art from the artist become an exercise in willful amnesia?

— Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 5 Nov. 2026
The smaller company won, with a jury determining willful infringement and a district court granting a permanent injunction preventing further sales.

— Coke Morgan Stewart, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of willful

Adjective

For a time the sea stars did double duty controlling the urchins, but in recent years they have been struck down by an uncontrollable plague, worsened by the state’s warming waters, called, quite literally, sea star wasting disease.

— Joseph Ogilvy, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
While some stress factors are uncontrollable, workplace stress directly hurts productivity.

— Jon Lowe, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of uncontrollable

Adjective

Each flight disruption could cost airlines as much as $250,000, on a par with the possible costs of dealing with an unruly passenger, said Philip Baum, a visiting professor of aviation security at Coventry University in England.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026
Her search for the soirée unfolds through a series of increasingly unruly hotel encounters, with The Scene Bag, The Tote Bag and the winter 2026 collection pulled into the plot along the way.

— Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of unruly

Adjective

Avalo’s report states that current dynamics are making the cotton growing business unmanageable.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026
Symptoms that persist beyond a few weeks or feel unmanageable, Patel-Dunn’s cue to seek professional help rather than tough it out alone.

— Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of unmanageable

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headstreams

headstrong

heads-up

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“Headstrong.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headstrong. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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