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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

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

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.
Recent Examples of stubborn The compelling Kuznetsov portrays the prosecutor as a wise and stubborn lawyer who’s also the last person to be in on the joke that was Communism under Stalin. Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025 Doom: The Dark Ages Review Score Doom: The Dark Ages is the story of a man so uncompromisingly stubborn the possibility of his death, even against overwhelming odds, is absurd. Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025 The Nuggets are just stubborn, as the Clippers learned. Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 7 May 2025 Outside of Washington, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s followers appear to be scrambling the country's stubborn red-blue divide USA TODAY Texas is looking at bills to bring back exercise. Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 4 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for stubborn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stubborn
Adjective
  • The chairman was adamant this bill can still pass by Johnson's goal of Memorial Day.
    Lauren Peller, ABC News, 16 May 2025
  • Valli remains adamant about the importance of fashion as escapism.
    Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • While Broadcom’s financial success since acquiring VMware suggests that its business plan will remain steadfast, sending cease-and-desist letters to VMware users risks further harming its reputation with current and former customers.
    Scharon Harding – May 7, ArsTechnica, 7 May 2025
  • Their team walks clients through every step, offering open communication, empathy, and steadfast support throughout the process.
    Ascend Agency, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2025
Adjective
  • More: McConnell called Trump 'despicable' and a 'narcissist,' cried after Capitol riot, new book says Now out of GOP leadership, McConnell has emerged as the most obstinate member of a loose cohort of Republican senators willing to criticize the president’s policies and nominees.
    Riley Beggin, USA Today, 6 Jan. 2021
  • Trump has repeatedly voiced his frustration with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing him of litigating the negotiations in the press and of being obstinate for drawing a red line by declaring Ukraine would not accept a deal that recognizes Russia’s occupation of Crimea.
    Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 24 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stubborn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stubborn. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on stubborn

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