stubborn
Americanadjective
-
unreasonably obstinate; obstinately unmoving.
a stubborn child.
- Synonyms:
- obdurate, headstrong, unyielding, refractory, intractable, contrary
- Antonyms:
- tractable
-
fixed or set in purpose or opinion; resolute.
a stubborn opponent of foreign aid.
- Synonyms:
- persevering
- Antonyms:
- irresolute
-
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.
adjective
-
refusing to comply, agree, or give in; obstinate
-
difficult to handle, treat, or overcome
-
persistent and dogged
a stubborn crusade
Usage
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."
Related Words
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 Word Forms
- prestubborn adjective
- stubbornly adverb
- stubbornness noun
- unstubborn adjective
- unstubbornly adverb
- unstubbornness noun
Etymology
Origin of stubborn
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English stiborn(e), styborne, stuborn ; origin uncertain
Explanation
Use the adjective stubborn to describe someone who is not open to new ideas or ways of doing things, like your uncle who refuses to listen to any music made after 1990. Stubborn is the opposite of flexible. The Middle English version of stubborn carried the sense of “untamable, implacable,” and there’s still a hint of that in how it is used today. A stubborn person holds on to a view or an attitude, refusing to change — to the point of being unreasonable. Things can also be stubborn, like a stain that no amount of scrubbing can clean or a medical condition that, even with treatment, doesn't improve.
Vocabulary lists containing stubborn
The Cay
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Twelve Angry Men
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"What, of This Goldfish, Would You Wish?" Vocabulary from the short story
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
If high gas prices and stubborn inflation persist, retail sales could take a turn for the worse heading into the summer.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026
Melamine sponges are known for removing stubborn stains without the need for extra chemicals.
From Science Daily • Apr. 18, 2026
For all the talk of a decline in the college wage premium, the stubborn fact is that college-educated women earn much more money than less-educated members of their cohort.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026
Whether the power that once dropped Deontay Wilder multiple times has waned, or Makhmudov simply showed a stubborn chin under sustained pressure, Fury couldn't find the breakthrough.
From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026
I didn’t press him about it, because he could be stubborn and not want to talk at all.
From "Root Magic" by Eden Royce
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
