as in obstinate
sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
he's just being stubborn, refusing even to try the new toothpaste
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stubborn
Use a cooktop scraper or soft sponge to remove stubborn residue while the cooktop is still warm for easier cleaning.
—
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2025
As the spigot closed, inflation spiked (gee, maybe there’s a connection?) and the economy slowed, the state budget went from a whopping surplus to stubborn deficits.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 6 Aug. 2025
Privilege raised its stubborn head again last month.
—David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2025
Here’s the case for Scorpio: Wednesday is suss, secretive, brooding, vengeful and stubborn.
—Lisa Stardust, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stubborn
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2025
As the spigot closed, inflation spiked (gee, maybe there’s a connection?) and the economy slowed, the state budget went from a whopping surplus to stubborn deficits.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 6 Aug. 2025
Privilege raised its stubborn head again last month.
—David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2025
Here’s the case for Scorpio: Wednesday is suss, secretive, brooding, vengeful and stubborn.
—Lisa Stardust, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stubborn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stubborn
Adjective
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Our investor was obstinate, the seller was impatient, and my team was exhausted.—
Pankaj Vasani,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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All that being said, the controls can still feel frustratingly obstinate at times, and get in the way of the overall experience.—
Hayes Madsen,
Rolling Stone,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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The Yankees have been adamant that Fried’s blister has nothing to do with his struggles.—
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
21 Aug. 2025
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However, Noem was adamant that the new black paint update is the deterrent the U.S. needs to secure the Mexican border.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Flash mobs in the Loop are a real problem demanding hardheaded solutions.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2025
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British officials know this and sometimes despair that their country has not found a way to be more hardheaded.—
Sam Knight,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The drama follows Veneno (played by non-pro Víctor Miguel), a headstrong young drifter who survives by seducing truck drivers at 24-hour roadside diners called cachimbas.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
25 Aug. 2025
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The six-part drama is inspired by the lives of the aristocratic Mitford sisters – six headstrong women who frequently made headlines around the world.—
Ryan Schwartz,
TVLine,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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Throughout the process, the brothers' extended family has been steadfast in backing their release.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
23 Aug. 2025
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Having reaffirmed his happiness at Newcastle publicly as recently as March, the club was steadfast in its belief he would not be sold and would not agitate for a move away.—
Harry De Cosemo,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The second gain for Ukraine is that the intransigent nature of Putin – despite all of Trump’s fawning – was widely on display.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
16 Aug. 2025
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Trump campaigned on a vow to end the Russia-Ukraine war but has had little success so far, largely because Putin has been intransigent in terms of offering concessions.—
Ian Swanson,
The Hill,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stubborn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stubborn. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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