stubborn
Refuses to bend
Stubborn describes someone who refuses to change their mind or course of action, even in the face of good arguments or evidence.
The word carries a negative connotation—stubbornness is persistence without flexibility: She's too stubborn to admit she was wrong.
A stubborn stain or problem resists removal or solution.
Stubborn can shade toward positive when it suggests determination against difficult odds: his stubborn refusal to give up.
Refusing to give way
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
- immovableIncapable of being shifted
- unbendingRefusing to change position
rigid · unshakeable · iron-willed · firm · resolute · steadfast · unwavering · intransigent
Stubbornly refusing to yield
- bullheadedStubbornly refusing to yield
- mulishStubbornly refusing to yield
- hardheadedStubbornly unyielding or practical
- stiff-neckedProudly refusing to submit
obdurate · wrongheaded · contrary · perverse · ornery · cussed · cantankerous · willful
Stubbornly determined to continue
- doggedStubbornly persevering
- determinedFirmly committed to purpose
- perseveringMaintaining effort despite difficulty
- relentlessContinuing without pause
unrelenting · indefatigable · tireless · unflagging · single-minded · pertinacious · assiduous · insistent
Continuing despite difficulty
- setArrange in position
- fixedRestored or immovable
- indelibleImpossible to remove
- ingrainedFirmly established by habit
embedded · dried · stuck · resistant · difficult · impossible · deep-seated · entrenched
Resisting authority or control
- insubordinateDefying rightful authority
- disobedientRefusing to follow orders
- unrulyDifficult to control
- unmanageableImpossible to control
ungovernable · intractable · wayward · undisciplined · resistant · oppositional · noncompliant · mutinous
unyielding
Refusing to give way
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
- immovableIncapable of being shifted
unbending · rigid · unshakeable · iron-willed · firm · resolute · steadfast · unwavering · intransigent · inexorable
pigheaded
Stubbornly refusing to yield
- bullheadedStubbornly refusing to yield
- mulishStubbornly refusing to yield
- hardheadedStubbornly unyielding or practical
stiff-necked · obdurate · wrongheaded · contrary · perverse · ornery · cussed · cantankerous · willful · self-willed
tenacious
Stubbornly determined to continue
- doggedStubbornly persevering
- determinedFirmly committed to purpose
- perseveringMaintaining effort despite difficulty
relentless · unrelenting · indefatigable · tireless · unflagging · single-minded · pertinacious · assiduous · insistent · enduring
persistent
Continuing despite difficulty
ingrained · embedded · dried · stuck · resistant · difficult · impossible · deep-seated · entrenched · permanent
rebellious
Resisting authority or control
- insubordinateDefying rightful authority
- disobedientRefusing to follow orders
- unrulyDifficult to control
unmanageable · ungovernable · intractable · wayward · undisciplined · resistant · oppositional · noncompliant · mutinous · restive
- misbehaviormisbehave, misbehavior, mischief, misconduct, naughty
- slang traitsbossy, brainy, bubbly, chatty, cheeky
- traitshonesty, ambitious, brave, calm, kindness
- Bulldogsbulldog, English Bulldog, French Bulldog, American Bulldog, wrinkles
- attitudespositive, negative, ambition, apathy, curiosity
- childlike traitsplayful, curious, innocent, imaginative, young
stubbornyielding
Bending under pressure
compliant · flexible · acquiescent · relenting · amenable
stubborndocile
Easily controlled or taught
tractable · obedient · compliant · manageable · meek
stubbornpersuadable
Able to be convinced
open-minded · flexible · receptive · reasonable · broad-minded
- stubborn as a muleExtremely obstinate comparison
- as stubborn as a muleExtremely resistant to change
- stubborn diseaseCondition defying cure attempts