stubborn

adjective

stub·born ˈstə-bərn How to pronounce stubborn (audio)

a(1)

: unreasonably or perversely unyielding : mulish

(2)

: justifiably unyielding : resolute

: suggestive or typical of a strong stubborn nature

a stubborn jaw

: performed or carried on in an unyielding, obstinate, or persistent manner

stubborn effort

: difficult to handle, manage, or treat

a stubborn cold

: lasting

stubborn facts

stubbornly adverb

stubbornness

ˈstə-bər(n)-nəs How to pronounce stubborn (audio)

noun

Did you know?

Stubborn as a Mule (Or Some Other Animal)

Most of us are familiar with the expression stubborn as a mule, which some feel is unfair to this hybrid animal. In fairness to the mule, let us look at some of the other animals that the English language has seen fit to equate with stubbornness over the years. John Wolcot wrote of being “as stubborn as a halter’d ram.” In the 19th century satirical work The Family of the Seisers, a character is described as being “as stubborn as a dog-fish.” And a character in Maria Edgeworth’s play Love and Law describes her own hair as “stubborn as a Presbyterian.” These curious phrases are, however, exceptional: the mule is by far the most commonly referenced animal when describing stubbornness. We have been using as stubborn as a mule since at least 1771, when the expression appears in Tobias Smollett’s The Expedition of Humphry Clinker.

Example Sentences

Louise was not the first to posit the idea of a miniature horse ancestral to the Arab; but she was the only one stubborn enough to prove it.

Jason Elliot, Mirrors of the Unseen, 2006 To remove stubborn price tags from items like dishes and glassware, I use a cotton pad or Q-tip soaked with rubbing alcohol. The alcohol dissolves the sticky glue and doesn't mess up my manicure.

Kathe Palmucci, Real Simple, April 2003 In the search for strategies to deal with the stubborn and deadly problem of driving under the influence, many cops are turning to an unusual tactic: Recruiting volunteer drinkers and drug users to teach officers to recognize impaired drivers.

Russell Gold, Wall Street Journal, 29 Oct. 2002 She's wrong, but she's too stubborn to admit it. I admire his stubborn refusal to quit. trying to treat a stubborn infection See More

Recent Examples on the Web What’s amazing is how stubborn the brain is in its fallibility.

Matthew Hutson, WSJ, 7 Aug. 2022 The husband has been having an affair for 20 years and is sometimes needlessly stubborn.

Washington Post, 5 May 2022 As rural areas continue to struggle with hospitalizations, scientists and officials have long hoped full government approval of a COVID-19 vaccine would help allay stubborn concerns.

Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2021 Polish auteur’s Jerzy Skolimowski’s latest film, EO, which follows the adventures of a mule who is stubborn and wise and free-spirited, has been chosen by Poland as its contender for best international feature at the 2023 Academy Awards.

Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Aug. 2022 Kyle Schwarber will catch a groove and muscle his way to the finals, but the stubborn and powerful Alonso will prove too formidable to dislodge.

USA TODAY, 18 July 2022 Eager to extinguish the stubborn and smoky Marsh Fire burning in Pittsburg and Bay Point for 6½ weeks, firefighters are considering flooding the wetlands area where the blaze continues to burn in decayed vegetation.

Michael Cabanatuan, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 July 2022 Leia at 10 years old is fearless, stubborn and wise beyond her years.

Tracy Brownstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2022 The giant trevally, a stubborn and powerful apex predator, is one of Hawai‘i’s most coveted game fish.

Abe Musselman, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 June 2022 See More

单词	stubbornness
释义	stubborn adjective stub·born ˈstə-bərn 1 a(1) : unreasonably or perversely unyielding : mulish (2) : justifiably unyielding : resolute b : suggestive or typical of a strong stubborn nature a stubborn jaw 2 : performed or carried on in an unyielding, obstinate, or persistent manner stubborn effort 3 : difficult to handle, manage, or treat a stubborn cold 4 : lasting stubborn facts stubbornly adverb stubbornness ˈstə-bər(n)-nəs noun Did you know? Stubborn as a Mule (Or Some Other Animal) Most of us are familiar with the expression stubborn as a mule, which some feel is unfair to this hybrid animal. In fairness to the mule, let us look at some of the other animals that the English language has seen fit to equate with stubbornness over the years. John Wolcot wrote of being “as stubborn as a halter’d ram.” In the 19th century satirical work The Family of the Seisers, a character is described as being “as stubborn as a dog-fish.” And a character in Maria Edgeworth’s play Love and Law describes her own hair as “stubborn as a Presbyterian.” These curious phrases are, however, exceptional: the mule is by far the most commonly referenced animal when describing stubbornness. We have been using as stubborn as a mule since at least 1771, when the expression appears in Tobias Smollett’s The Expedition of Humphry Clinker. Synonyms adamant adamantine bullheaded dogged hard hard-nosed hardened hardheaded headstrong immovable implacable inconvincible inflexible intransigent mulish obdurate obstinate opinionated ossified pat pertinacious perverse pigheaded self-opinionated self-willed stiff-necked unbending uncompromising unrelenting unyielding willful wilful See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Louise was not the first to posit the idea of a miniature horse ancestral to the Arab; but she was the only one stubborn enough to prove it. Jason Elliot, Mirrors of the Unseen, 2006 To remove stubborn price tags from items like dishes and glassware, I use a cotton pad or Q-tip soaked with rubbing alcohol. The alcohol dissolves the sticky glue and doesn't mess up my manicure. Kathe Palmucci, Real Simple, April 2003 In the search for strategies to deal with the stubborn and deadly problem of driving under the influence, many cops are turning to an unusual tactic: Recruiting volunteer drinkers and drug users to teach officers to recognize impaired drivers. Russell Gold, Wall Street Journal, 29 Oct. 2002 She's wrong, but she's too stubborn to admit it. I admire his stubborn refusal to quit. trying to treat a stubborn infection See More Recent Examples on the Web What’s amazing is how stubborn the brain is in its fallibility. Matthew Hutson, WSJ, 7 Aug. 2022 The husband has been having an affair for 20 years and is sometimes needlessly stubborn. Washington Post, 5 May 2022 As rural areas continue to struggle with hospitalizations, scientists and officials have long hoped full government approval of a COVID-19 vaccine would help allay stubborn concerns. Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2021 Polish auteur’s Jerzy Skolimowski’s latest film, EO, which follows the adventures of a mule who is stubborn and wise and free-spirited, has been chosen by Poland as its contender for best international feature at the 2023 Academy Awards. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Aug. 2022 Kyle Schwarber will catch a groove and muscle his way to the finals, but the stubborn and powerful Alonso will prove too formidable to dislodge. USA TODAY, 18 July 2022 Eager to extinguish the stubborn and smoky Marsh Fire burning in Pittsburg and Bay Point for 6½ weeks, firefighters are considering flooding the wetlands area where the blaze continues to burn in decayed vegetation. Michael Cabanatuan, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 July 2022 Leia at 10 years old is fearless, stubborn and wise beyond her years. Tracy Brownstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2022 The giant trevally, a stubborn and powerful apex predator, is one of Hawai‘i’s most coveted game fish. Abe Musselman, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 June 2022 See More Word History Etymology Middle English stibourne, stuborn First Known Use 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1) Phrases Containing stubborn (as) stubborn as a mule stubborn streak (as) stubborn as a mule stubborn streak Kids Definition stubborn adjective stub·born ˈstə-bərn 1 : refusing to change an opinion or course of action in spite of difficulty or urging She's too stubborn to ask for help. 2 : persistent a stubborn cough 3 : difficult to handle, manage, or treat a stubborn stain stubbornness noun 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 Relevance persistence obstinacy pigheadedness intransigence bullheadedness persistency obduracy doggedness willfulness hardheadedness resolve determination pertinacity self-will obdurateness tenacity defiance perseverance steadfastness inflexibility rebelliousness perversity mulishness tenaciousness waywardness perverseness wrongheadedness obstinateness adamancy pertinaciousness implacability opinionatedness self-opinionatedness sternness adamance rigidity relentlessness strictness hardness inexorability rigidness single-mindedness recalcitrance cussedness inveteracy contrariness cantankerousness disobedience firmness bloody-mindedness stick-to-itiveness intractability contumacy anal-retentiveness unruliness insubordination rigorousness immovability narrow-mindedness refractoriness rigor frowardness balkiness recalcitrancy immovableness obstreperousness Antonyms & Near Antonyms acquiescence reasonableness flexibility acceptance receptivity receptiveness reasonability pliability willingness docility pliancy obedience open-mindedness compliance subordination broad-mindedness surrender subservience slavishness submission yielding subserviency pliableness pliantness subordinateness See More
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stubborn

adjective

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing stubborn

Kids Definition

adjective

noun