STUBBORNNESS Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

stubbornness

noun

Definition of stubbornness

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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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 stubbornness And the stubbornness of that demand is, to me, the most important and most underappreciated story in rental housing right now. — Brad Hunter, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 Penelope is Odysseus’ equal, in cunning, in stubbornness, in wiles. — Literary Hub, 17 July 2026 The stubbornness that makes such an elite golfer doesn’t accept that. — Brody Miller, New York Times, 14 July 2026 That iron will could track toward stubbornness and the basketball obsession could turn into tunnel vision. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 8 July 2026 Archie’s stubbornness is a reflex to his worldview being attacked without first acknowledging his experience. — Alex Rosado, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 June 2026 But that stubbornness showed its face this past season. — Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026 At some point, the preference for consistency and the resolve to make decisions built on past success starts to mirror stubbornness. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2026 Like Sunshine Sean, Bedsy offers a high floor, good-to-brilliant regular seasons, and inevitable playoff heartbreak brought on by a combination of stubbornness and the inability to adapt on the fly. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 3 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stubbornness

Noun

Recognition should acknowledge not only outcomes but also the discipline, persistence and relationship-building that led to them.

— Karen Cochran, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Therefore, RedHook includes several persistence methods designed to keep Android from shutting it down.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of persistence

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

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

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
Instead, the courts are dealing with intransigence from the city.

— The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 13 May 2026

Definition of intransigence

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

Noun

Those leaders who ignore or flout the law aren’t merely unethical but fatally arrogant, putting their childish willfulness over the wisdom of generations.

— David Brooks, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
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

Definition of willfulness

Noun

The Afghan Taliban and the Iraqi insurgency beat the United States through roadside bombs and sheer doggedness.

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Her doggedness, maybe her righteousness too, a fierce myopic focus and will, and a crazy confidence that in the end, both have nothing to lose.

— Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 15 June 2026

Definition of doggedness

Noun

However the motion to dismiss resolves, the economics press toward concession.

— Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
In Jay’s account, the week of January 6 was not merely a riot but a tactical probe—a test of the resolve of police, security agencies, and democratic institutions.

— James Robenalt, Vanity Fair, 27 July 2026

Definition of resolve

Browse Nearby Words

stubbornly

stubbornness

stubby

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“Stubbornness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stubbornness. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of stubbornness

noun

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