Someone who is stubborn or who behaves in a stubborn way is determined to do what they want and is very unwilling to change their mind.
He is a stubborn character used to getting his own way.
His face was set in an expression of stubborn determination.
Synonyms: obstinate, dogged, inflexible, fixed More Synonyms of stubborn
stubbornlyadverb
He stubbornly refused to tell her how he had come to be in such a state.
stubbornnessuncountable noun
I couldn't tell if his refusal to talk was simple stubbornness.
2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A stubborn stain or problem is difficult to remove or to deal with.
This treatment removes the most stubborn stains.
The first and most stubborn problem was that of reductions in the number of aircraft.
Synonyms: persistent, tenacious, indelible, fast More Synonyms of stubborn
stubbornlyadverb
Some interest rates have remained stubbornly high.
stubborn in British English
(ˈstʌbən)
adjective
1.
refusing to comply, agree, or give in; obstinate
2.
difficult to handle, treat, or overcome
3.
persistent and dogged
a stubborn crusade
Derived forms
stubbornly (ˈstubbornly)
adverb
stubbornness (ˈstubbornness)
noun
Word origin
C14 stoborne, of obscure origin
stubborn in American English
(ˈstʌbərn)
adjective
1.
refusing to yield, obey, or comply; resisting doggedly or unreasonably; resolute or obstinate
2.
done or carried on in an obstinate or doggedly persistent manner
a stubborn campaign
3.
hard to handle, treat, or deal with; intractable
a stubborn cold
SYNONYMY NOTE: stubborn implies an innate fixedness of purpose, course, condition, etc. that is stronglyresistant to change, manipulation, etc. [a stubborn child, belief, etc.]; obstinate applies to one who adheres persistently, and often unreasonably, to a purpose, course,etc., against argument or persuasion [a panel hung by an obstinate juror]; dogged implies thoroughgoing determination or, sometimes, sullen obstinacy [the dogged pursuit of a goal]; pertinacious implies a strong tenacity of purpose that is regarded unfavorably by others [a pertinacious critic]
OPPOSITES: compliant, tractable
Derived forms
stubbornly (ˈstubbornly)
adverb
stubbornness (ˈstubbornness)
noun
Word origin
ME stoburn, prob. < OE stubb, var. of stybb, stub
More idioms containing
stubborn
stubborn as a mule
Examples of 'stubborn' in a sentence
stubborn
You can become your own worst enemy with that stubborn refusal to accept the inevitable.
The Sun (2011)
Family life is easier to handle as stubborn minds are ready to listen.
The Sun (2007)
The first is shaped by an intentional stubborn resistance.
Christianity Today (2000)
Particularly stubborn stains will guarantee you work up a sweat.
The Sun (2015)
It may take time to change a stubborn mind but you can do it.
The Sun (2013)
His stubborn innings in difficult conditions yesterday was a victory for concentration over instinct.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
We wonder if they also regret their stubborn refusal to compromise.
The Sun (2016)
He is a stubborn symbol of resistance to change.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The thing that could easily be changed is the stubborn refusal to let technology play a part for referees.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
You'd hoped that with time and stubborn determination you could ride things out.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Scrub paths and paving: a quick blast with a power hose will lift stubborn stains.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The issue you face here seems totally behavioural: a stubborn refusal.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Hopes of a full recovery are dashed by cancer cells' stubborn resistance to conventional treatments.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
For stubborn stains, leave on for about ten minutes.
The Sun (2010)
At home, you can change stubborn minds.
The Sun (2011)
Labour's stubborn refusal to confront this crisis is costing us dear.
The Sun (2009)
Either this was a stubborn refusal to acknowledge economic reality, or he was genuinely deluded.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
I think there will be stubborn resistance.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The previous administration's stubborn refusal to build more prison places led it into the absurd position of early release.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
You have a way of understanding people that will help you change the most stubborn minds - perhaps including your own.
The Sun (2014)
The plan is taking longer than hoped to produce results because of problems including corruption and stubborn resistance by the Taleban.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
I can be just as stubborn, determined and selfish at times in all aspects of my life.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The prevailing attitude, though, seemed to be a stubborn determination to stick to routine.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In other languages
stubborn
British English: stubborn /ˈstʌbn/ ADJECTIVE
A stubborn person is determined to do what they want and refuses to change their mind.
...his stubborn resistance to anything new.
American English: stubborn
Arabic: عَنِيد
Brazilian Portuguese: teimoso
Chinese: 顽固的
Croatian: tvrdoglav
Czech: tvrdohlavý
Danish: stædig
Dutch: koppig
European Spanish: testarudo
Finnish: itsepäinen
French: têtu
German: stur
Greek: πεισματάρης
Italian: ostinato
Japanese: 頑固な
Korean: 고집 센
Norwegian: sta
Polish: uparty
European Portuguese: teimoso
Romanian: încăpățânat
Russian: упрямый
Latin American Spanish: testarudo
Swedish: envis
Thai: ดื้อ
Turkish: inatçı
Ukrainian: впертий
Vietnamese: bướng bỉnh
Chinese translation of 'stubborn'
stubborn
(ˈstʌbən)
adj
[person]倔强(強)的 (juéjiàng de)
[resistance]顽(頑)强(強)的 (wánqiáng de)
[stain, illness]难(難)对(對)付的 (nán duìfu de)
1 (adjective)
Definition
persistent and determined
He is a stubborn character used to getting his own way.
Synonyms
obstinate
He is obstinate and determined and will not give up.
dogged
through sheer dogged determination
inflexible
They viewed him as stubborn, inflexible and dogmatic.
fixed
persistent
intractable
How can we reduce the influence of intractable opponents?
wilful
a selfish and wilful congressman
tenacious
recalcitrant
a recalcitrant child of an unhappy mother
unyielding
his unyielding attitude on this subject
headstrong
He's very headstrong, but he's a good man underneath.
unmanageable
The signs are that indulged children tend to become unmanageable.
unbending
her unbending opposition to the old regime
obdurate
The administration have been obdurate defenders of the status quo.
stiff-necked
unshakeable
self-willed
He was very independent and self-willed.
refractory
refractory priests who tried to side with the king
pig-headed
In her pig-headed way, she insisted that she was right.
bull-headed
mulish
He had a flushed, mulish look on his heavy face.
cross-grained
contumacious
Opposites
yielding
,
flexible
,
compliant
,
docile
,
wavering
,
manageable
,
malleable
,
pliable
,
vacillating
,
pliant
,
tractable
,
biddable
,
irresolute
,
half-hearted
2 (adjective)
Definition
difficult to handle, treat, or overcome
The treatment removes the most stubborn stains.
Synonyms
persistent
He phoned again this morning – he's very persistent.
tenacious
He is regarded as a persistent and tenacious interviewer.
indelible
My visit to India left an indelible impression on me.
fast
The fabric was ironed to make the colours fast.
permanent
Wear earplugs to avoid causing permanent damage.
resistant
obstinate
Additional synonyms
in the sense of dogged
Definition
obstinately determined
through sheer dogged determination
Synonyms
determined,
steady,
persistent,
stubborn,
firm,
staunch,
persevering,
resolute,
single-minded,
tenacious,
steadfast,
unyielding,
obstinate,
indefatigable,
immovable,
stiff-necked,
unshakable,
unflagging,
pertinacious
in the sense of fast
Definition
(of colours and dyes) not likely to fade
The fabric was ironed to make the colours fast.
Synonyms
indelible,
lasting,
permanent
in the sense of headstrong
Definition
determined to do something in one's own way and ignoring the advice of others
He's very headstrong, but he's a good man underneath.
Synonyms
stubborn,
wilful,
obstinate,
contrary,
perverse,
unruly,
intractable,
stiff-necked,
ungovernable,
self-willed,
pig-headed,
mulish,
froward (archaic)
Synonyms of 'stubborn'
stubborn
Explore 'stubborn' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of indelible
Definition
impossible to erase or remove
My visit to India left an indelible impression on me.
Synonyms
permanent,
lasting,
enduring,
ingrained,
indestructible,
ineradicable,
ineffaceable,
inexpungible,
inextirpable
in the sense of inflexible
Definition
unwilling to be persuaded
They viewed him as stubborn, inflexible and dogmatic.
Synonyms
obstinate,
strict,
relentless,
firm,
fixed,
iron,
adamant,
rigorous,
stubborn,
stringent,
uncompromising,
resolute,
steely,
intractable,
inexorable,
implacable,
steadfast,
hard and fast,
unyielding,
immutable,
immovable,
unbending,
obdurate,
stiff-necked,
dyed-in-the-wool,
unchangeable,
brassbound,
set in your ways
in the sense of intractable
Definition
(of a person) difficult to influence or direct
How can we reduce the influence of intractable opponents?
Synonyms
difficult,
contrary,
awkward,
wild,
stubborn,
perverse,
wayward,
unruly,
uncontrollable,
wilful,
incurable,
fractious,
unyielding,
obstinate,
intransigent,
headstrong,
unmanageable,
undisciplined,
cantankerous,
unbending,
obdurate,
uncooperative,
stiff-necked,
ungovernable,
self-willed,
refractory,
obstreperous,
pig-headed,
bull-headed
in the sense of mulish
Definition
stubborn
He had a flushed, mulish look on his heavy face.
Synonyms
stubborn,
difficult,
rigid,
unreasonable,
perverse,
intractable,
inflexible,
wilful,
recalcitrant,
obstinate,
intransigent,
headstrong,
stiff-necked,
self-willed,
refractory,
pig-headed,
bull-headed,
cross-grained
in the sense of obdurate
Definition
not to be persuaded
The administration have been obdurate defenders of the status quo.
Synonyms
obstinate,
firm,
dogged,
determined,
fixed,
iron,
persistent,
relentless,
adamant,
stubborn,
intractable,
inflexible,
wilful,
unrelenting,
tenacious,
inexorable,
implacable,
steadfast,
unyielding,
intransigent,
immovable,
headstrong,
strong-minded,
unbending,
stiff-necked,
unshakeable or unshakable,
refractory,
pig-headed,
mulish,
contumacious (literary),
pertinacious,
indurate (rare),
proof against persuasion,
unimpressible
in the sense of permanent
Definition
existing or intended to exist forever
Wear earplugs to avoid causing permanent damage.
Synonyms
lasting,
fixed,
constant,
enduring,
persistent,
eternal,
abiding,
perennial,
durable,
perpetual,
everlasting,
unchanging,
immutable,
indestructible,
immovable,
invariable,
imperishable,
unfading
in the sense of pig-headed
Definition
stupidly stubborn
In her pig-headed way, she insisted that she was right.
Synonyms
stubborn,
contrary,
perverse,
obstinate,
stupid,
dense,
inflexible,
wilful,
unyielding,
stiff-necked,
wrong-headed,
self-willed,
bull-headed,
mulish,
cross-grained,
froward (archaic)
in the sense of recalcitrant
Definition
wilfully disobedient
a recalcitrant child of an unhappy mother
Synonyms
disobedient,
contrary,
unwilling,
defiant,
stubborn,
wayward,
unruly,
uncontrollable,
intractable,
wilful,
obstinate,
unmanageable,
ungovernable,
refractory,
insubordinate,
contumacious (literary)
in the sense of refractory
Definition
stubborn or rebellious
refractory priests who tried to side with the king
Synonyms
unmanageable,
difficult,
stubborn,
contentious,
perverse,
unruly,
uncontrollable,
intractable,
wilful,
recalcitrant,
obstinate,
headstrong,
cantankerous,
uncooperative,
stiff-necked,
disobedient,
disputatious,
mulish,
contumacious (literary)
in the sense of self-willed
Definition
stubbornly determined to have one's own way, esp. at the expense of others
He was very independent and self-willed.
Synonyms
stubborn,
wilful,
headstrong,
intractable,
opinionated,
obstinate,
cussed (informal),
stiff-necked,
ungovernable,
refractory,
pig-headed,
stubborn as a mule
Additional synonyms
in the sense of tenacious
Definition
stubborn or persistent
He is regarded as a persistent and tenacious interviewer.
Synonyms
stubborn,
dogged,
determined,
persistent,
sure,
firm,
adamant,
staunch,
resolute,
inflexible,
strong-willed,
steadfast,
unyielding,
obstinate,
intransigent,
immovable,
unswerving,
obdurate,
stiff-necked,
pertinacious
in the sense of unbending
Definition
rigid or inflexible
her unbending opposition to the old regime
Synonyms
inflexible,
strict,
rigid,
firm,
tough,
severe,
stubborn,
hardline,
uncompromising,
resolute,
intractable,
unyielding
in the sense of unmanageable
Definition
difficult to use, deal with, or control, esp. because it is too big
The signs are that indulged children tend to become unmanageable.