stubborn

[stuhb-ern]

adjective

1. unreasonably obstinate; obstinately unmoving.

   a stubborn child.

   Synonyms: obdurate, headstrong, unyielding, refractory, intractable, contrary
   Antonyms: tractable

2. fixed or set in purpose or opinion; resolute.

   a stubborn opponent of foreign aid.

   Synonyms: persevering
   Antonyms: irresolute

3. obstinately maintained, as a course of action.

   a stubborn resistance.

4. difficult to manage or suppress.

   a stubborn horse; a stubborn pain.

5. hard, tough, or stiff, as stone or wood; difficult to shape or work.

stubborn

/ ˈstʌbən /

adjective

1. refusing to comply, agree, or give in; obstinate

2. difficult to handle, treat, or overcome

3. persistent and dogged

   a stubborn crusade

Other Word Forms

• stubbornness noun
• stubbornly adverb
• prestubborn adjective
• unstubborn adjective
• unstubbornly adverb
• unstubbornness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of stubborn¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English stiborn(e), styborne, stuborn ; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of stubborn¹

C14 stoborne, of obscure origin

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

I returned from a cross-country trip with a razor blade sore throat and a stubborn headache, followed by aches and pains.

From Los Angeles Times

"My mum's the glue, she's a rock, but she's crumbling. I'm a bit like my dad: stubborn, strong, fight."

From BBC

Burnley will be stubborn and resolute, and they do carry an attacking threat.

From BBC

They say the government's record on illegal immigration will ultimately be judged on the small boat crossing numbers, which remain at stubborn, record-breaking highs.

From BBC

Acquaroli, quietly astonishing, brings humanity and the merest touch of weary humor to his stubborn policeman.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adamant 
• determined 
• dogged 
• headstrong 
• inflexible 
• intractable 
• ornery 
• persistent 
• perverse 
• relentless 
• rigid 
• single-minded 
• steadfast 
• tenacious 
• tough 
• unshakable 
• willful 

When To Use

Where does stubborn come from?

The origin of stubborn is itself fittingly stubborn, or "unreasonably obstinate." We might assume stubborn is connected to stub, a "short, projecting part or remaining piece" that is often immovable and unyielding. But that just doesn't seem to be true.Stubborn is recorded around 1350–1400 and took such forms as stiborn(e), styborne, and stuborn. Beyond that, we just don't really know. Thanks for nothing, stubborn.Stubborn isn’t alone: it finds lots of company in other English words that seem simple but whose origins are not. Discover more in our slideshow “‘Dog,’ ‘Boy,’ And Other Words That We Don’t Know Where They Came From."