What does stubborn mean?
Definitions for stubborn
ˈstʌb ərnstub·born
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word stubborn.
Princeton's WordNet
stubborn, obstinate, unregenerateadjective
tenaciously unwilling or marked by tenacious unwillingness to yield
refractory, stubbornadjective
not responding to treatment
"a stubborn infection"; "a refractory case of acne"; "stubborn rust stains"
Wiktionary
stubbornadjective
Refusing to move or to change one's opinion; obstinate; firmly resisting.
Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
STUBBORNadjective
Etymology: This word, of which no obvious etymology appears, is derived by John Minsheu from stoutborn, referred by Franciscus Junius to στιβαϱὸς, and deduced better by Mr. Edward Lye, from stub, perhaps from stub-horn.
The queen is obstinate,
Stubborn to justice, apt t’ accuse it, and
Disdainful to be tried by’t. William Shakespeare, Henry VIII.You stubborn antient knave, you reverend braggart,
We’ll teach you. —— William Shakespeare, King Lear.He believed he had so humbled the garrison, that they would be no longer so stubborn. Edward Hyde.
All this is to be had only from the epistles themselves, with stubborn attention, and more than common application. John Locke.
Strifeful Atin in their stubborn mind,
Coals of contention and hot vengeance tin’d. Edmund Spenser.Love softens me, and blows up fires which pass
Through my tough heart, and melt the stubborn mass. Dryd.I’ll not flatter this tempestuous king,
But work his stubborn soul a nobler way. Dryden.Take a plant of stubborn oak,
And labour him with many a sturdy stroak. Dryden.Patience under torturing pain,
Where stubborn stoicks would complain. Jonathan Swift.We will not oppose any thing that is hard and stubborn, but by a soft answer deaden their force. Burnet.
Wikipedia
Stubborn
Stubborn means having or showing dogged determination not to change one's attitude or position on something.
ChatGPT
stubborn
Stubborn is an adjective that describes a person who is determined to hold onto their own ideas, opinions, or actions and is resistant to change or persuasion. It suggests a refusal to bend, compromise, or yield in spite of logical arguments or reasoning. A stubborn individual may display unwavering persistence in pursuing their goals even when faced with challenges or opposition.
Webster Dictionary
Stubbornadjective
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
Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
Stubborn
stub′orn, adj. immovably fixed in opinion: obstinate: persevering: steady: stiff: inflexible: hardy: not easily melted or worked.—v.t. (Keats) to make stubborn.—adv. Stubb′ornly.—n. Stubb′ornness.—adj. Stubb′orn-shaft′ed, having strong shafts or trunks. [A.S. styb, a stub.]
Usage in printed sourcesFrom:
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Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of stubborn in Chaldean Numerology is: 4
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of stubborn in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3
Examples of stubborn in a Sentence
We don't have a style and to say that it this will change before the World Cup is like selling smoke, he is stubborn...he continues rotating...he plays center forwards on the wings this will not help him get the most of Mexican players... Mexico should have a Mexican coach.
It's been a period of stubborn production growth.
There are few people so stubborn in their atheism who when danger is pressing in will not acknowledge the divine power.
There remains this stubborn unwillingness to look beyond the big-dollar and take something less flashy until you can find that higher-paying job.
Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work You don't give up.
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References
Translations for stubborn
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- عنيدArabic
- ўпа́ртыBelarusian
- инатBulgarian
- tossutCatalan, Valencian
- tvrdohlavý, neústupnýCzech
- stædigDanish
- dickköpfig, sturGerman
- πεισματάρηςGreek
- obstinaEsperanto
- terco, testarudo, obstinado, cabezadura, cabezota, porfiadoSpanish
- کله شق, سمجPersian
- itsepäinenFinnish
- entêtée, borné, bornée, têtue, entêté, têtuFrench
- ceanndána, stalcachIrish
- rag, rag-mhuinealachScottish Gaelic
- עקשןHebrew
- अक्खड़, ज़िद्दी, हठीHindi
- makacs, konokHungarian
- համառArmenian
- keras kepalaIndonesian
- ostinata, testarda, testardo, ostinatoItalian
- עַקשָׁןHebrew
- 頑固Japanese
- ჯიუტიGeorgian
- 고집센Korean
- pertinaxLatin
- сво́еглав, твр́доглав, у́поренMacedonian
- hardnekkig, koppigDutch
- vrangvillig, staNorwegian
- upartyPolish
- ځيلی, خریPashto, Pushto
- cabeça-dura, teimosoPortuguese
- неусту́пчивый, упо́рный, насто́йчивый, упря́мый, упёртыйRussian
- tvrdoglav, тврдоглавSerbo-Croatian
- zarytý, zaťatý, tvrdošijný, neoblomný, úporný, tvrdohlavýSlovak
- trmast, trdoglavSlovene
- hardnackad, envisSwedish
- mkaidiSwahili
- మొండిTelugu
- впе́ртийUkrainian
- ہٹھیUrdu
- bướng bỉnhVietnamese
- bukêye, macté, tiestou, tiestowe, buké, mactêyeWalloon
- 倔强Chinese
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"stubborn." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 9 Feb. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/stubborn>.
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