Synonyms of mulish

mulish

adjective

ˈmyü-lish 

as in stubborn

sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion

a mulish determination to have his own way

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word mulish distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of mulish are dogged, obstinate, pertinacious, and stubborn. While all these words mean "fixed and unyielding in course or purpose," mulish implies a thoroughly unreasonable obstinacy.

a mulish determination to have his own way

When could dogged be used to replace mulish?

While the synonyms dogged and mulish are close in meaning, dogged suggests an admirable often tenacious and unwavering persistence.

pursued the story with dogged perseverance

Where would obstinate be a reasonable alternative to mulish?

In some situations, the words obstinate and mulish are roughly equivalent. However, obstinate implies usually an unreasonable persistence.

an obstinate proponent of conspiracy theories

When is it sensible to use pertinacious instead of mulish?

The words pertinacious and mulish can be used in similar contexts, but pertinacious suggests an annoying or irksome persistence.

a pertinacious salesclerk refusing to take no for an answer

When might stubborn be a better fit than mulish?

The meanings of stubborn and mulish largely overlap; however, stubborn implies sturdiness in resisting change which may or may not be admirable.

a person too stubborn to admit error

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of mulish

His daughter, Anne (Olivia Colman), who comes to see him, is galled by the situation, but Anthony is mulish and unmoved. — Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2021

And still fashion week keeps its mulish course, a carousel spinning madly. — Matthew Schneier, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2018

Only a supranational institution such as the EU has the heft and mulish determination to override national attempts to impose banana uniformity, vacuum-cleaner-motor wattage limits or standards for automobile safety systems. — Joseph C. Sternberg, WSJ, 17 Aug. 2017