hard-headed
Won't budge easily
Hard-headed means stubborn and practical, resistant to emotional appeals or fanciful ideas.
A hard-headed negotiator focuses on facts and refuses to budge without good reason.
The word can be approving (tough-minded, realistic) or disapproving (inflexible, unimaginative), depending on context: Her hard-headed approach saved the company from a bad deal versus He was too hard-headed to consider alternatives.
Firmly refusing to yield
- pigheadedStubbornly refusing to yield
- bullheadedStubbornly refusing to yield
- willfulIntentionally unyielding
- mulishStubbornly refusing to yield
headstrong · recalcitrant · defiant · contrary · self-willed · stiff-necked · wrongheaded · cantankerous
Unable to bend
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
- adamantStubbornly refusing to yield
- tenaciousStubbornly determined to continue
- steadfastFirmly loyal, unshakeable
firm · resolute · unbending · dogged · immovable · intransigent · persistent · determined
Focused on workable solutions
- realisticTrue to life
- sensibleShowing good judgment
- no-nonsenseSerious and efficient
- shrewdPractically clever, perceptive
astute · levelheaded · down-to-earth · clear-sighted · judicious · sober · matter-of-fact · grounded
Uncertain of truth
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
- incredulousExpressing unwillingness to believe
- unconvincedNot yet believing
suspicious · wary · scrutinizing · challenging · disbelieving · cynical · guarded · mistrustful
obstinate
Firmly refusing to yield
- pigheadedStubbornly refusing to yield
- bullheadedStubbornly refusing to yield
- willfulIntentionally unyielding
mulish · headstrong · recalcitrant · defiant · contrary · self-willed · stiff-necked · wrongheaded · cantankerous · ornery
inflexible
Unable to bend
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
- adamantStubbornly refusing to yield
- tenaciousStubbornly determined to continue
steadfast · firm · resolute · unbending · dogged · immovable · intransigent · persistent · determined · iron-willed
pragmatic
Focused on workable solutions
- realisticTrue to life
- sensibleShowing good judgment
- no-nonsenseSerious and efficient
shrewd · astute · levelheaded · down-to-earth · clear-sighted · judicious · sober · matter-of-fact · grounded · commonsensical
doubtful
Uncertain of truth
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
- incredulousExpressing unwillingness to believe
unconvinced · suspicious · wary · scrutinizing · challenging · disbelieving · cynical · guarded · mistrustful · unimpressed
hard-headedidealistic
Pursuing unrealistic standards
unrealistic · impractical · starry-eyed · quixotic · utopian
hard-headedsentimental
Excessively emotional about memories
soft-hearted · tender-hearted · emotional · mushy · soppy
hard-headedopen-minded
Receptive to different ideas
flexible · persuadable · malleable · yielding · tractable