stubborn

stubborn
stubbornly, adv.stubbornness, n.
/stub"euhrn/, adj.
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.
[1350-1400; ME stiborn(e), styborne, stuborn < ?]
Syn. 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.
Ant. 1. tractable. 2. irresolute.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • 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; …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Stubborn — may refer to: HMS Stubborn (P238), an S class submarine Little Miss Stubborn, a character in the Little Miss series of books Mr. Stubborn, a character on the children s television show The Mr. Men Show Stubborn Unwilling to admit defeat to… …   Wikipedia

  • stubborn — [stub′ərn] adj. [ME stoburn, prob. < OE stubb, var. of stybb,STUB] 1. refusing to yield, obey, or comply; resisting doggedly or unreasonably; resolute or obstinate 2. done or carried on in an obstinate or doggedly persistent manner [a stubborn …   English World dictionary

  • stubborn — index callous, chronic, contentious, difficult, disobedient, fractious, froward, impervious, incorrigible …   Law dictionary

  • stubborn — late 14c., of uncertain origin. Earliest form is stiborn. OED, Liberman doubt any connection with STUB (Cf. stub) (n.). Related: Stubbornly; stubbornness …   Etymology dictionary

  • stubborn — *obstinate, dogged, pertinacious, mulish, stiff necked, pigheaded, bullheaded Analogous words: rebellious, contumacious, *insubordinate: intractable, recalcitrant, refractory (see UNRULY): obdurate, adamant, inexorable, *inflexible Contrasted… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • stubborn — [adj] obstinate, unyielding adamant, balky, bullheaded, cantankerous, contumacious, cussed*, determined, dogged, firm, fixed, hardheaded, headstrong, inexorable, inflexible, insubordinate, intractable, mulish, obdurate, opinionated, ornery*,… …   New thesaurus

  • stubborn — ► ADJECTIVE 1) determined not to change one s attitude or position. 2) difficult to move, remove, or cure. DERIVATIVES stubbornly adverb stubbornness noun. ORIGIN of unknown origin …   English terms dictionary

  • stubborn — 01. He knew he was wrong, but he was simply too [stubborn] to admit it. 02. My boss is so [stubborn]. Once he gets an idea in his head, there s just no changing his mind. 03. The policeman [stubbornly] refused to reduce my speeding ticket to a… …   Grammatical examples in English

  • stubborn — adjective 1) you re too stubborn to admit it Syn: obstinate, headstrong, willful, strong willed, pigheaded, obdurate, difficult, contrary, perverse, recalcitrant, inflexible, iron willed, uncompromising, unbending; informal stiff necked, bloody… …   Thesaurus of popular words

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