Synonyms of stubborn

stubborn

adjective

ˈstə-bərn 

as in obstinate

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

he's just being stubborn, refusing even to try the new toothpaste

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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stubborn resistance

staunch resistance

determined resistance

hardheaded resistance

tenacious resistance

unyielding resistance

a stubborn streak

a defiant streak

a determined streak

a tenacious streak

an uncompromising streak

a rebellious streak

a stubborn child

a hardheaded child

a defiant child

a rebellious child

a headstrong child

an obdurate child

stubborn stains

tough stains

persistent stains

difficult stains

impossible stains

intractable stains

Synonym Chooser

How is the word stubborn distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of stubborn are dogged, mulish, obstinate, and pertinacious. While all these words mean "fixed and unyielding in course or purpose," stubborn implies sturdiness in resisting change which may or may not be admirable.

a person too stubborn to admit error

When might dogged be a better fit than stubborn?

The meanings of dogged and stubborn largely overlap; however, dogged suggests an admirable often tenacious and unwavering persistence.

pursued the story with dogged perseverance

When is it sensible to use mulish instead of stubborn?

Although the words mulish and stubborn have much in common, mulish implies a thoroughly unreasonable obstinacy.

a mulish determination to have his own way

In what contexts can obstinate take the place of stubborn?

The synonyms obstinate and stubborn are sometimes interchangeable, but obstinate implies usually an unreasonable persistence.

an obstinate proponent of conspiracy theories

When could pertinacious be used to replace stubborn?

While in some cases nearly identical to stubborn, pertinacious suggests an annoying or irksome persistence.

a pertinacious salesclerk refusing to take no for an answer

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stubborn

If that doesn’t clear it up, try running an anti-malware scan to catch stubborn remnants. —Ken Colburn, AZCentral.com, 4 Aug. 2025

Their fresh, citrusy scent and essential oils help deodorize and neutralize stubborn food odors. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 3 Aug. 2025

Boston is teetering on the edge and a stubborn Wu glides along with a big smile. —Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 2 Aug. 2025

But after years of stubborn refusal to compromise, the suspense is killing no one. —Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 28 July 2025