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

Example sentences from the Web for stubbornness

British Dictionary definitions for stubbornness

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, noun

Word Origin for stubborn

C14 stoborne, of obscure origin