as in obdurateness
a steadfast adherence to an opinion, purpose, or course of action
cursed their mulishness for failing to own up to what seemed like an obvious mistake to him
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mulishness
Noun
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The persistence of deportation and enforcement practices across Democratic and Republican administrations reflects a broader failure to establish genuinely humane immigration policies.—
Fidel Martinez,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026 -
Greg Gianforcaro, one of the attorneys representing victims suing the diocese, credited survivors' persistence.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Home Service Insurance segment experienced a decline in premiums, attributed to strategic actions to improve sales quality and persistency, as well as economic pressures such as inflation.—
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom,
Quartz,
13 Mar. 2025
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The tannins are well structured yet soft and the wine has great persistency in the finish.—
Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen,
Robb Report,
2 May 2023
Noun
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Villa Park has impressed with its resolve in Division 1.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Sharif reaffirmed the government’s resolve to eliminate terrorism and said the nation stands with its armed forces in the fight.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In his mind, Spurs’ determination to operate with one of the top flight’s strictest wage structures would quickly catch up with them in a hyper-competitive league, where more clubs could dream of European football.—
Dan Kilpatrick,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
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That instinct and determination can, in part, be attributed to Saka’s upbringing.—
Aleks Klosok,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Women in hijabs pushing strollers through snowbanks reminded me of the strength and stubbornness of the women who raised me.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
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Like, does stubbornness at all play a role in, interpersonal relationships?—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Their intransigence has proved unpopular.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
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In adulthood, Bill was admired for his decision-making and diplomacy, but Ben was feared for his aggression and intransigence.—
Thomas Morgan,
The Conversation,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The natural obstinacy and rebelliousness of Israa’s teenage years are hyperaccelerated by culture clashes with both her family and the other kids around her.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
24 Jan. 2026
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The White House does not seem to have a workaround to Putin’s obstinacy, and Rubio told Hannity that all other parties seeking to end the conflict are hopeless.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Though the Durutti Column had been a disaster, Wilson was fascinated by the guitarist, who admired punk’s willfulness even though his own musical taste tended toward jazz, blues, and the classical tradition.—
Brad Shoup,
Pitchfork,
24 Jan. 2026
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The orphan’s predicament is as much a matter of willfulness as of survival—inseparable, as in the works of Charles Dickens, from a dream of being somehow rescued by the idea of an adult world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Nov. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Mulishness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mulishness. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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