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

The 10-year yield’s rapid climb above 5% shows how quickly investors’ expectations have shifted toward additional tightening from the Federal Reserve in light of stubborn inflation.

— Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026
Simulations show a surface coating cuts the energy needed to strip sulfur from 2D materials, easing a stubborn chip manufacturing problem.

— Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of stubborn

Adjective

So my thought process was to come in and early in the day float her name subtly, and not be too adamant about it.

— Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2026
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.

— Tassanee Vejpongsa, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of adamant

Adjective

Vivienne Westwood, who died in 2022, helped define the punk fashion movement and became internationally known for rebellious designs that challenged conventional ideas of fashion and style.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026
Emma and Lizzie belong to a wealthy New England family and were once close, but as Lizzie and her rebellious housemaid Bridget Sullivan (Vicky Krieps) become deeply entangled, their relationship strains.

— Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of rebellious

Adjective

But where Hwan’s Christianity is a willful, grotesque misreading of the Bible, Latif actively wrestles with his moral shortcomings.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
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

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

Scott was unable to recover from a wayward tee shot that left him pinned behind a tree, leaving just Florjancic and McConnell competing for the individual title heading into the second playoff hole, which was the first green at Thunderhawk.

— Harris Horowitz, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
On the one hand, Ema is the only one willing to lend all those wayward souls a moment of her time.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of wayward

Adjective

The change also covers medical emergencies that are not the airline’s fault, the removal of unruly passengers, certain cyberattacks, and aircraft damage caused by extreme weather or debris.

— Bailey Berg, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Sep. 2026
Created under O’Hare’s leadership, the decorum policy prohibits personal attacks, impertinent, profane, obscene, or slanderous remarks as well as threatening, disruptive or unruly behavior.

— Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 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 28 Sep. 2026.

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