headstrong

[ hed-strawng, -strong ]

adjective

1. determined to have one's own way; willful; stubborn; obstinate:

   a headstrong young man.

   Antonyms: docile, tractable

2. proceeding from or exhibiting willfulness:

   a headstrong course.

headstrong

/ ˈhɛdˌstrɒŋ /

adjective

1. self-willed; obstinate
2. (of an action) heedless; rash

Derived Forms

• ˈheadˌstrongly, adverb
• ˈheadˌstrongness, noun

Other Words From

• headstrongly adverb
• headstrongness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of headstrong¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, headstrong is from the Middle English word heedstronge. See head, strong

Synonym Study

See willful.

Example Sentences

I tried to talk her into going to college, but she’s headstrong.

From Freakonomics

Progressives see him as an experienced and headstrong rulemaker who is not afraid to take a hard line against big banks.

From Washington Post

In the Schwab novel, a headstrong young woman makes a decision she might regret for the rest of her very long life.

From Washington Blade

One of our kids is very headstrong, and my having to serve as the enforcer of rules has negatively affected our relationship.

From Washington Post

Others are worried about the pandemic’s impact on small businesses and city finances and are headstrong on prioritizing economic recovery.

From Voice of San Diego

Sometimes my mouth just starts going and I get so headstrong about what I want and I want to do.

From The Daily Beast

Fortunately for the reader, Cordelia is even more headstrong than she is self-obsessed.

From The Daily Beast

He got into alpine racing, liked it, and early on developed his own headstrong approach to the sport.

From The Daily Beast

Other than potential squabbles with Mary, serving again to prove how headstrong she is, where would the drama have come from?

From The Daily Beast

Still, the Ram is headstrong, able to tune out the voices of his detractors.

From The Daily Beast

But she is a girl, and she does not mind her jack-sparrow being a trifle headstrong, if only he has a kind heart.

From Project Gutenberg

Then it was that the insular propensity grew impudent and headstrong, and soon became a power in the land.

From Project Gutenberg

He, the conqueror, the irresistible, had never before met one of this audacious and headstrong breed.

From Project Gutenberg

One must be pardoned for repeating the very rudiments of criticism to some of the headstrong writers of our day.

From Project Gutenberg

That the Bretons are faithful no one doubts; but that they are still more headstrong is a justice that none will deny them.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• impulsive