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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of headstrong
These scenes ground Agathe, imbuing her with the headstrong determination of Jo March.
—
Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2025
Soon there is violence and terror, and then arguments over how to respond to that, and then Ellie being as headstrong as always, consequences be damned.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2025
Witherspoon, who is also executive producing the spinoff, originally played Elle Woods, a headstrong Harvard Law student, in the iconic Legally Blonde movies in the early 2000s.
—Liza Esquibias, People.com, 15 May 2025
Simpson’s family described him as a laidback yet headstrong, philosophical man.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for headstrong
Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2025
Soon there is violence and terror, and then arguments over how to respond to that, and then Ellie being as headstrong as always, consequences be damned.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2025
Witherspoon, who is also executive producing the spinoff, originally played Elle Woods, a headstrong Harvard Law student, in the iconic Legally Blonde movies in the early 2000s.
—Liza Esquibias, People.com, 15 May 2025
Simpson’s family described him as a laidback yet headstrong, philosophical man.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for headstrong
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headstrong
Adjective
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All of which can be employed by Musk or anyone else using AI to target us with false political advertising tailored to our most stubborn biases, further dividing us, manipulating elections and solidifying what has already become a fascist state.—
Sal Recchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 June 2025
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Then Curry, rattled by the monumental reverb of Kyrie’s shot, hurried into a stubborn approach on the ensuing possession, missed a desperate 3 over Kevin Love, who used his length and a rare display of defensive intensity to deny Curry a good look.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
Adjective
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Football has typically accepted these lapses and quietly moved on, adamant that the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PED) is primarily a problem for other sports.—
Philip Buckingham,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
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It’s become the latest project that’s caused high tension among Prairie Village residents — with a new group that’s formed to rally residents to push against the city’s plans, while others are adamant for its approval.—
Taylor O’Connor,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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Mexican music has always been rock-ish in spirit — sincere, rebellious, a direct message that invites you to rebel against the world.—
Ernesto Lechner,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2025
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Strahovski shares details about her character’s state of mind the moment when everything changed with a bold and rebellious move, after finding love again with Commander Wharton (Josh Charles), below.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
22 June 2025
Adjective
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Cruz was the fourth of her parents’ eight children and willful from a young age.—
Rebecca Grant
June 24,
Literary Hub,
24 June 2025
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Importantly, and unlike the ICA, willful violations of the ADA can incur criminal penalties.—
Doug Criscitello,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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Commenters had a lot to say, and many of them highlighted an often uncontrollable difference between generations: financial insecurity.—
Anna Halkidis,
Parents,
26 June 2025
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In both cases, the objective was to signal strength while minimizing the chance of escalation into uncontrollable conflict.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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And can answering that help to uncover some wayward finishers who could soon be about to click into a more clinical gear?—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
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But the wayward priest may have then betrayed Fitzpayne to his religious superiors.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN Money,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Headstrong.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headstrong. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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