51Թ

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View synonyms for

stubborn

[stuhb-ern]

adjective

  1. unreasonably obstinate; obstinately unmoving.

    a stubborn child.

    Synonyms: , , , , ,
    Antonyms:
  2. fixed or set in purpose or opinion; resolute.

    a stubborn opponent of foreign aid.

    Synonyms:
    Antonyms:
  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

/ ˈʌə /

adjective

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

  2. difficult to handle, treat, or overcome

  3. persistent and dogged

    a stubborn crusade

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • stubbornly adverb
  • stubbornness noun
  • prestubborn adjective
  • unstubborn adjective
  • unstubbornly adverb
  • unstubbornness noun
  • ˈٳܲǰԲԱ noun
  • ˈٳܲǰԱ adverb
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of stubborn1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English stiborn(e), styborne, stuborn ; origin uncertain
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of stubborn1

C14 stoborne, of obscure origin
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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.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

But he was also stubborn in ways that would prove self-destructive.

From

They talk about a "stubborn kid" who was "wild, really aggressive" and would occasionally come to blows with team-mates.

From

I like to make sure it’s never from a place of being stubborn, where I’m just like, “I don’t drink because I made up this idea in my head that I’m not going to drink.”

From

The narrative around the former Scotland defender, particularly with Southampton in the Premier League, was that he was too stubborn and needed to adapt.

From

Yet she’s started just 10 games since then, losing most of the last three seasons to a stubborn anterior cruciate ligament injury that took four surgeries to repair.

From

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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 51Թs That We Don’t Know Where They Came From."

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stubble-jumperstubborn as a mule