Synonyms for stubborn
- adjective
Most common
All synonyms
Adjective
1. Obstinate
obstinate, obdurate, persistent, unyielding, headstrong, tenacious, dogged, cantankerous, recalcitrant, tough, stiff-necked, dour, willful US, wilful UK, strong-willed, intractable, intransigent, rigid, wayward, unbending, rebellious, stiff, close-minded
Definitions
- adj. 1
Refusing to move or to change one's opinion; obstinate; firmly resisting; persistent in doing something.
Blood can make a very stubborn stain on fabrics if not washed properly.
Related words
- Word family
- stubbornly stubbornness
Choose the right word
The headstrong person is not to be stopped in his own course of action, while the obstinate and stubborn is not to be driven to another's way. The headstrong act; the obstinate and stubborn may simply refuse to stir.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- persistent Be patient and persistent. These things take time.
- obstinate I've heard that Tom and Mary are quite obstinate.
- unyielding His unyielding character doesn't please me at all.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| stubborn | rising | |
| persistent | rising | |
| obstinate | steady | |
| unyielding | rising | |
| obdurate | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- dour2
- 5 letters
- tough1, stiff1, rigid2
- 6 letters
- dogged1, wilful
- 7 letters
- willful2, wayward2
- 8 letters
- obdurate3
- 9 letters
- tenacious3, obstinate3, unbending3
- 10 letters
- persistent3, rebellious3, refractory4, unyielding3, headstrong2
- 11 letters
- intractable4, perseverant, untractable
- 12 letters
- recalcitrant4, cantankerous4, intransigent4
- 13 letters
- undisciplined4
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (dour2 = 2 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- têtu
- Español
- testarudo
- Deutsch
- dickköpfig
- Català
- caparrut