hardheaded

adjective

hard·​head·​ed ˈhärd-ˈhe-dəd 

1

: stubborn, willful

2

: concerned with or involving practical considerations : sober, realistic

some hardheaded advice

a hardheaded observer of winds and tides

hardheadedly adverb

hardheadedness noun

Synonyms

• astute
• canny
• clear-eyed
• clear-sighted
• hard-boiled
• heady
• knowing
• savvy
• sharp
• sharp-witted
• shrewd
• smart

Examples of hardheaded in a Sentence

He was always hardheaded about getting his way.

We need to take a more hardheaded approach to these problems.

She gave him some hardheaded advice.

Recent Examples on the Web

Kayce sells Yellowstone Ranch for $1.25 an acre and Elsa Dutton rises from the dead to declare victory Kayce cryptically suggested the Yellowstone sale at the end of last week's episode, and the hardheaded financial wonder Beth loved the idea. —Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024

When Buck resigned, the conservative cited a flank of the Republican Party’s hardheaded politics and unwavering devotion to Trump — traits that made Boebert a name brand. —Jesse Bedayn, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2024

There’s a poignancy in this confession, but also a hardheaded aspect. —Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 2 June 2024

Over his lifetime, Aron was a hardheaded defender of liberal values in the face of fascist and totalitarian ideological challengers. —Raymond Aron, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1532, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

hardheaded

adjective

hard·​head·​ed ˈhärd-ˈhed-əd 

1

: stubborn sense 1

2

: marked by sound judgment

a hardheaded judgment

hardheadedly adverb

hardheadedness noun