stubborn
[ stuhb-ern ]
/ ˈstʌb ərn /
adjective
unreasonably obstinate; obstinately unmoving: a stubborn child.
fixed or set in purpose or opinion; resolute: a stubborn opponent of foreign aid.
obstinately maintained, as a course of action: a stubborn resistance.
difficult to manage or suppress: a stubborn horse; a stubborn pain.
hard, tough, or stiff, as stone or wood; difficult to shape or work.
Origin of stubborn
1350–1400; Middle English
stiborn(e),
styborne, stuborn < ?
SYNONYMS FOR stubborn
2
persevering.
Stubborn,
dogged,
obstinate,
persistent imply fixity of purpose or condition and resistance to change.
Stubborn and
obstinate both imply resistance to advice, entreaty, remonstrance, or force; but
stubborn implies more of innate quality and is the more frequently used when referring to inanimate things:
stubborn disposition; stubborn difficulties.
Dogged implies pertinacity and grimness in doing something, especially in the face of discouragements:
dogged determination.
Persistent implies having staying or lasting qualities, resoluteness, and perseverance:
persistent questioning.
OTHER WORDS FROM stubborn
Words nearby stubborn
stubbed,
stubbies,
stubble,
stubble-jumper,
stubbled,
stubborn,
stubborn as a mule,
stubbs,
stubby,
stuc,
stucco
Example sentences from the Web for stubborn
British Dictionary definitions for stubborn
stubborn
/ (ˈstʌbən) /
adjective
refusing to comply, agree, or give in; obstinate
difficult to handle, treat, or overcome
persistent and dogged
a stubborn crusade
Derived forms of stubborn
stubbornly, adverb stubbornness, nounWord Origin for stubborn
C14
stoborne, of obscure origin