stubborn

Formsstubborner, stubbornest

1. 1
   unwilling to yieldadjective

   Not willing to change your mind, even when other people try hard to make you.

   Like a door that won't open no matter how hard you push it.

   My little brother is too stubborn to admit he was wrong.

   She stayed stubborn about the plan, even after we showed her the facts.

   UsageSay too stubborn to listen.

   Similarobstinate, inflexible, intransigent, pigheaded, headstrong

   Oppositeflexible, compliant, amenable, accommodating

2. 2
   the trait itselfnouncolloquialuncountable

   The habit of refusing to change your mind or give in to anyone.

   Like glue that keeps you stuck to your own ideas.

   That kid has a real streak of stubborn in him.

   Grandpa has a lot of stubborn in him.

   UsageSay a streak of stubborn.

   Similarobstinacy, doggedness, tenacity, willfulness, pigheadedness

   Oppositeflexibility, compliance, docility

3. 3
   hard to shapeadjective

   Hard to bend, melt, or shape because the material is so stiff.

   Like a thick wire that stays bent and won't straighten back out.

   The metal was so stubborn that the blacksmith could barely bend it.

   This clay is stubborn and cracks when you try to shape it.

   Similarintractable, refractory, unyielding, rigid, inflexible

   Oppositemalleable, pliable, ductile, workable

4. 4
   adjective

   Hard to get rid of, fix or change, said about a thing or a problem.

   I scrubbed the pan, but some stubborn bits of food stayed stuck.

   She had a stubborn cough that lasted all winter.

   Similarpersistent, tenacious, intractable, obstinate

   Note

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