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mulishness

noun

Definition of mulishnessnext
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
  1. persistence
  2. persistency
  3. determination
  4. resolve
  5. stubbornness
  6. intransigence
  7. obstinacy
  8. obduracy
Noun
  • According to the trade counsel, the recent tit-for-tat trade actions undertaken by both Washington and Ottowa have served to illuminate the persistence of a trend that stands to continue over the coming months.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Maines’ technical skill along with his persistence and curiosity helped produce journalism with far-reaching consequences.
    — Sally Kestin, Sun Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of persistence
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
  • 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
Definition of persistency
Noun
  • Her passion, determination and single-minded focus had completed the deal.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The allegations build on an April 2025 US determination that Sudan’s government used chemical weapons in 2024, though officials provided little public evidence at the time.
    — Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of determination
Noun
  • Ukraine has ramped up its attacks on Russian oil facilities and logistics hubs in recent months, seeking to raise the cost of the war for Russia and test Putin's resolve to continue the conflict.
    — Sam Meredith,Anniek Bao, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The blasts just across the Danube are a reminder of how close war is to NATO territory — at a time many fear Russian President Vladimir Putin might want to test the alliance’s resolve.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of resolve
Noun
  • There’s a tinge of humor, too, in Zumthor’s stubbornness when designing someone’s home, as the conceptual clashes with the preferential.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Once the aging parent’s worries are addressed, their initial stubbornness might disappear.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of stubbornness
Noun
  • The fact that so many diplomats before him have struggled is a testament not to the intransigence of international problems but to the mediocrity of his predecessors.
    — Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Fatigue with the stagnation inherent in contemporary democratic institutions is among the key factors that make the promise to break through intransigence by autocratic leaders attractive to a plurality of voters.
    — Wendell Wallach, Hartford Courant, 25 June 2026
Definition of intransigence
Noun
  • Starmer’s realism—or obstinacy, depending on your point of view—had seen off an immediate challenge.
    — Sam Knight, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
  • 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
Definition of obstinacy
Noun
  • Perhaps the greatest testament to Morocco’s obduracy came late in normal time, when Rodri — a central midfielder being deployed as a central defender — strode forward and shot, more in hope than in expectation, from 35 yards.
    — Rory Smith, New York Times, 6 Dec. 2022
  • But a year later, more than two dozen of them remain stuck in Afghanistan, stalled by bureaucratic wrangling, the vagaries of international diplomacy and the obduracy of the Taliban government.
    — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2022
Definition of obduracy
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.

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mulishness
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Cite this Entry

“Mulishness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mulishness. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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