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 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 Fisher is set to play Barbara Van Laar, the artistic and headstrong teen with a punk sensibility, whose disappearance is at the heart of the series. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 28 May 2026 Lama, a social activist of several decades, sheds any sense of artifice in playing the headstrong Pirati, a woman whose convictions are as compelling as her desires, her vulnerabilities and even her hypocrisies. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for headstrong

Recent Examples of Synonyms for headstrong

Adjective

Apple's stubborn insistence on keeping base iPhones at 60Hz while budget Android phones offer zippier refresh rates has always baffled me.

— Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026
Bigger paychecks sought While the economy may be showing signs of acceleration, stubborn inflation has eroded Americans’ take-home pay.

— Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of stubborn

Adjective

The Grammy winner was adamant in his Tuesday statement that he wouldn't be drawn into discussion of the war in Gaza, arguing that his fans don’t come to his shows to hear about these issues.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
The Dodgers have been adamant that Walter has no plans to sell the baseball team.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of adamant

Adjective

The tech world has always had a self-consciously rebellious relationship with societal norms.

— Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2026
Costarring Katey Sagal, Amy Davidson, James Garner, and David Spade, the series followed the futile attempts of Ritter’s Paul Hennessy and Sagal’s Cate Hennessy to tame their rebellious teenage daughter, Bridget (Cuoco).

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of rebellious

Adjective

The title refers not only to the horror film my protagonist, Maya, is trying to make, but also to the city’s new masters and to those living in a zombified state of willful ignorance.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
Judge Darren Steele said the state amended a charge of willful, wanton reckless driving – second offense, adjudication of guilt that carried a $1,000 fine.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of willful

Adjective

To sleep, no more Two scientists who identified the role that a key neuropeptide plays in the uncontrollable sleepiness of narcolepsy were one of three recipients of the prestigious Lasker Awards, announced Thursday.

— O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 10 Sep. 2026
The engineer abruptly resigned after refusing to contribute to a reckless corporate competition that could ultimately lead to uncontrollable AI.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of uncontrollable

Adjective

Of course the playwright has prepared the way, but the wayward emotions emanating from these inwardly glowing performances are refreshing in work that has the crisp, circumscribed elegance of a mathematical proof.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Although the story of Odysseus binding himself to the mast to resist the Sirens’ song may belong to the mythical imagination, plenty of desperate souls have gone to heroic lengths to obstruct their wayward desires.

— Meghan O’Gieblyn, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of wayward

Adjective

The film stars Ronan, 32, as Maria, a passionate teacher who is struggling to keep her class in order thanks to one unruly child, Danny (Eddie Waller).

— Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026
That’s because unruly strands can be a deal-breaker on even your best hair day.

— Deanna Pai, Glamour, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of unruly

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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 22 Sep. 2026.

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