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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
Try This
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
stubborn stains
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of stubborn
Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 25 July 2025
Shelton specializes in past-their-prime athletes, and Costner’s performance is one of his warmest, portraying Roy as a stubborn fool whose inability to compromise is starting to feel like a defense mechanism to protect him from ever getting his hopes dashed.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 25 July 2025
Moore has now joined a long list of politicians who have learned that facts are a stubborn thing.
—Kevin Igoe, Baltimore Sun, 22 July 2025
Spin scrubbers offer a serious boost in power, helping to lift stubborn stains, soap scum, hard water buildup, and kitchen messes that would otherwise require a lot of elbow grease.
—Maggie Horton, People.com, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for stubborn
Adjective
Think of fat as stubborn, remaining intact from day to day, not budging until a substantial number of calories (kcals) is expended — a whopping 3500 kcals per pound of fat.
—Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 25 July 2025
Shelton specializes in past-their-prime athletes, and Costner’s performance is one of his warmest, portraying Roy as a stubborn fool whose inability to compromise is starting to feel like a defense mechanism to protect him from ever getting his hopes dashed.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 25 July 2025
Moore has now joined a long list of politicians who have learned that facts are a stubborn thing.
—Kevin Igoe, Baltimore Sun, 22 July 2025
Spin scrubbers offer a serious boost in power, helping to lift stubborn stains, soap scum, hard water buildup, and kitchen messes that would otherwise require a lot of elbow grease.
—Maggie Horton, People.com, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for stubborn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stubborn
Adjective
-
All that being said, the controls can still feel frustratingly obstinate at times, and get in the way of the overall experience.—
Hayes Madsen,
Rolling Stone,
23 June 2025
-
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
Noun
-
Today, those same companies pay Espinoza five-figure speaking fees to train and inspire their senior leaders — proof that persistence, when paired with purpose, creates its own path.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
-
For disillusioned progressives feeling powerless to stop President Trump’s initiatives, La Follette’s career exemplifies the value of rejecting the siren song of frustration and complacency in favor of persistence in pursuing progressive ideals.—
Time,
Time,
16 July 2025
Adjective
-
Since camp got underway, he's been adamant that winning games is far more important than his personal stats.—
Kevin McCormick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
-
Liverpool communicated an interest in acquiring the Sweden international for around £120m, though Newcastle have been adamant for months that Isak is not for sale.—
David Ornstein,
New York Times,
22 July 2025
Noun
-
This seemed to me to stem not from carelessness or spite but obstinacy.—
erin Khuê Ninh
June 17,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2025
-
Campbell’s thirst to learn protected him from obstinacy.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
Flash mobs in the Loop are a real problem demanding hardheaded solutions.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2025
-
British officials know this and sometimes despair that their country has not found a way to be more hardheaded.—
Sam Knight,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 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 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
Adjective
-
Now, their headstrong father, Kevin Jonas Sr., is the proud owner of The Album after beating out competitors in a bidding war for the purchase of a portion of the Jonas Brothers catalog.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
21 July 2025
-
Liza Colón-Zayas stars as Tina Marrero, a headstrong cook who has grown into a respected leader in the kitchen.—
Kelsey Lentz,
People.com,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
Our volunteer firefighters represent the best of us, exemplifying a steadfast commitment to service and sacrifice.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
29 July 2025
-
Greek life, despite its understandable divisiveness, is a steadfast tradition on most Southern college campuses.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
27 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stubborn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stubborn. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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