Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Related Searches
on Ask.com
Synonyms
Nearby Entries
stubborn - 4 dictionary results

stub⋅born

  [stuhb-ern]
Use stubborn in a Sentence
–adjective
1. unreasonably obstinate; obstinately unmoving: a stubborn child.
2. fixed or set in purpose or opinion; resolute: a stubborn opponent of foreign aid.
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.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME stiborn(e), styborne, stuborn < ?

Related forms:
stub⋅born⋅ly, adverb
stub⋅born⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. contrary, intractable, refractory, unyielding, headstrong, obdurate. 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, esp. in the face of discouragements: dogged determination. Persistent implies having staying or lasting qualities, resoluteness, and perseverance: persistent questioning.

Antonyms:
1. tractable. 2. irresolute.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To stubborn
stub·born   (stŭb'ərn)   
adj.   stub·born·er, stub·born·est
    1. Unreasonably, often perversely unyielding; bullheaded.
    2. Firmly resolved or determined; resolute. See Synonyms at obstinate.
  2. Characterized by perseverance; persistent.
  3. Difficult to treat or deal with; resistant to treatment or effort: stubborn soil; stubborn stains.

[Middle English stuborn.]
stub'born·ly adv., stub'born·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Stubborn

Stub"born\, a. [OE. stoburn, stiborn; probably fr. AS. styb a stub. See Stub.] Firm as a stub or stump; stiff; unbending; unyielding; persistent; hence, unreasonably obstinate in will or opinion; not yielding to reason or persuasion; refractory; harsh; -- said of persons and things; as, stubborn wills; stubborn ore; a stubborn oak; as stubborn as a mule. "Bow, stubborn knees." --Shak. "Stubborn attention and more than common application." --Locke. "Stubborn Stoics." --Swift.

And I was young and full of ragerie [wantonness] Stubborn and strong, and jolly as a pie. --Chaucer.

These heretics be so stiff and stubborn. --Sir T. More.

Your stubborn usage of the pope. --Shak.

Syn: Obstinate; inflexible; obdurate; headstrong; stiff; hardy; firm; refractory; intractable; rugged; contumacious; heady.

Usage: Stubborn, Obstinate. Obstinate is used of either active or passive persistence in one's views or conduct, in spite of the wishes of others. Stubborn describes an extreme degree of passive obstinacy. -- Stub"born*ly, adv. -- Stub"born*ness, n.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source
Language Translation for : stubborn
Spanish: cabezota,
German: eigensinnig,
Japanese: がん固な
More Translations »

stubborn 
c.1386, of uncertain origin. Earliest form is stiborn. OED doubts any connection with stub (n.).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see stubborn on Thesaurus | Reference