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
• obdurate
• mulish
• unbending
• implacable
• opinionated
• willful
• unyielding
• uncompromising
• inflexible
• pigheaded
• immovable
• obsessive
• unrelenting
• pertinacious
• dogged
• persistent
• hard
• pat
• adamantine
• ossified
• self-willed
• stiff-necked
• hard-nosed
• determined
• perverse
• strict
• relentless
• tenacious
• self-opinionated
• inconvincible
• defiant
• wayward
• iron
• deaf to reason
• stern
• rigid
• unflinching
• cantankerous
• severe
• resolved
• inexorable
• wrongheaded
• uncooperative
• recalcitrant
• hard-line
• narrow-minded
• hidebound
• intractable
• disobedient
• stouthearted
• single-minded
• unruly
• indomitable
• contumacious
• unmanageable
• anal-retentive
• insubordinate
• mutinous
• firm
• bloody-minded
• contrary
• refractory
• invincible
• unconquerable
• hard-shell
• 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

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

Some of this criticism can be chalked up to differing interpretations of the science, and of how best to treat stubborn afflictions such as anxiety and depression when all of the remedies have potential downsides. — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026

The gas dissolves directly into the stubborn crude trapped within the rock matrix. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026

Shucking fresh corn is one of summer’s simple pleasures until you’re left picking stubborn strands of silk from between every row of kernels. — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2026

From removing stubborn stains to softening scratchy towels, vinegar consistently tackles the problems that detergents and fabric softeners sometimes leave behind. — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026