as in persistence
a steadfast adherence to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
between my brother's stubbornness and my own, it's amazing when we come to an agreement about anything
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Recent Examples of stubbornness
Women in hijabs pushing strollers through snowbanks reminded me of the strength and stubbornness of the women who raised me.
—
Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
Like, does stubbornness at all play a role in, interpersonal relationships?
—Outside Online, 18 Feb. 2026
Don't be surprised when that stubbornness ends up being one of their best character traits.
—Bridget Shirvell, Parents, 17 Feb. 2026
What was your personal experience with his stubbornness?
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 30 Jan. 2026
The shadow is stubbornness or emotional defensiveness.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
There is genius in Tomlin’s stubbornness.
—Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
The Dilbert principle — traced back to a quote in a 1995 strip — posited that managers and higher-ups are actually successful morons whose stubbornness is confused for real leadership qualities.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2026
That trickle-down stubbornness is the only reason San Francisco is still playing.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026
Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
Like, does stubbornness at all play a role in, interpersonal relationships?
—Outside Online, 18 Feb. 2026
Don't be surprised when that stubbornness ends up being one of their best character traits.
—Bridget Shirvell, Parents, 17 Feb. 2026
What was your personal experience with his stubbornness?
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 30 Jan. 2026
The shadow is stubbornness or emotional defensiveness.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
There is genius in Tomlin’s stubbornness.
—Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
The Dilbert principle — traced back to a quote in a 1995 strip — posited that managers and higher-ups are actually successful morons whose stubbornness is confused for real leadership qualities.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2026
That trickle-down stubbornness is the only reason San Francisco is still playing.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stubbornness
Noun
-
Personality traits such as mental toughness, discipline, high pain tolerance and persistence may also lead to worsened eating disorder risk and behaviors in athletes.—
Emily Hemendinger,
The Conversation,
13 Feb. 2026
-
It’s widely understood that to shop secondhand is to enter into a treasure hunt, where messiness is permitted and persistence is rewarded with bargains and unique items.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
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
Noun
-
Their intransigence has proved unpopular.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
-
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
-
China has gained, not suffered, from this obduracy.—
JONATHAN A. CZIN,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Nov. 2025
-
Related: ‘Neglected diseases’ are anything but neglected by the billion-plus people living with them One possible reason for this obduracy is that noma begins as a dental disease, and dental diseases have long been underappreciated global health concerns.—
John Button,
STAT,
16 Dec. 2023
Noun
-
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
-
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
Noun
-
Centres come at a significant premium cost, and there’s a fair bit of regard for Hayton around the industry given his versatility, face-off winning ability, power-play utility and doggedness.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Corey Perry, winger, A- Joel Armia, forward, B Perry has delivered the doggedness the Kings came to expect from him as a longtime rival, along with his best per-game scoring rate since 2018.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In the weeks since the arson attack, Beth Israel has been supported by neighbors and people of different backgrounds and beliefs who have stood together with compassion and resolve.—
Lindsay Baach Friedmann,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Then, came the party meeting where Starmer impressed many with his sense of resolve.—
Jill Lawless,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stubbornness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stubbornness. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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