Nearby Words
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; Middle English stiborn(e), styborne, stuborn < ?
1350–1400; Middle English stiborn(e), styborne, stuborn < ?
Related forms
stub·born·ly, adverb
stub·born·ness, noun
pre·stub·born, adjective
un·stub·born, adjective
un·stub·born·ly, adverb
EXPANDun·stub·born·ness, noun
COLLAPSESynonyms
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, especially in the face of discouragements: dogged determination. Persistent implies having staying or lasting qualities, resoluteness, and perseverance: persistent questioning.
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, especially in the face of discouragements: dogged determination. Persistent implies having staying or lasting qualities, resoluteness, and perseverance: persistent questioning.
Antonyms
1. tractable. 2. irresolute.
1. tractable. 2. irresolute.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Stubbornness
is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
Collins
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
stubborn
late 14c., of uncertain origin. Earliest form is stiborn. OED doubts any connection with stub (n.).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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