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
Leo wants expression, courage, recognition and creative risk, and so, this first quarter moon may expose where routine has dulled your spark or where stubbornness is blocking growth.
—
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Letter writer worries mom’s stubbornness will limit visits just as parents are aging.
—Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2026
As for her training, the stubbornness of this dog mix hasn't been an issue.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Maybe this stubbornness won’t affect anything.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
The 22-year-old had been relentless in her pursuit of a goal all match against rival Canada, and her stubbornness finally paid off in the 55th minute.
—Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
In season one, Robby’s vulnerabilities were made evident through his trauma over the loss of his mentor during COVID; in the show’s next chapter, his vulnerabilities are shown through his stubbornness.
—Esther Zuckerman, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
Given the stubbornness of beef prices, some investors may have feared inflation was running even hotter.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
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
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Letter writer worries mom’s stubbornness will limit visits just as parents are aging.
—Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2026
As for her training, the stubbornness of this dog mix hasn't been an issue.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Maybe this stubbornness won’t affect anything.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
The 22-year-old had been relentless in her pursuit of a goal all match against rival Canada, and her stubbornness finally paid off in the 55th minute.
—Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
In season one, Robby’s vulnerabilities were made evident through his trauma over the loss of his mentor during COVID; in the show’s next chapter, his vulnerabilities are shown through his stubbornness.
—Esther Zuckerman, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
Given the stubbornness of beef prices, some investors may have feared inflation was running even hotter.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stubbornness
Noun
-
While the strategy once appeared premature, Time notes that persistence paid off.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
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In adult-serving programs, the difference between persistence and withdrawal is often response time, proactive advising and timely academic support.—
Ian Gibson,
Twin Cities,
1 May 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
-
In Kyiv, Orbán’s intransigence had scuttled various European initiatives to aid Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s government in the country’s with Russia.—
Rafi Schwartz,
TheWeek,
23 Apr. 2026
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That show of intransigence seems designed to win the support of other hardliners in the government and prove his loyalty to the Castros.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
-
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
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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
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
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Concerns over hyperscalers massive AI spending plans announced at the start of 2026 saw a $1 trillion selloff in February, but investors have steadied their resolve in recent weeks.—
Kai Nicol-Schwarz,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
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Today, Mr Speaker, that same, unyielding resolve is needed for the defence of Ukraine and her most courageous people – it is needed in order to secure a truly just and lasting peace.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stubbornness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stubbornness. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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