stubbornstub‧born /ˈstʌbən $ -ərn/ ●●○ adjective 
Why are you so stubborn? I’ve got a very stubborn streak (=a tendency to be stubborn). Paul can be as stubborn as a mule (=very stubborn).► see thesaurus at determined2 stubborn resistance/refusal/determination etc a very strong and determined refusal etc: a stubborn refusal to face reality3difficult to remove, deal with, or use SYN tough: stubborn stains—stubbornly adverb: ‘I don’t care,’ she said stubbornly.—stubbornness noun [uncountable]THESAURUSstubborn refusing to change your mind, even when people think you are wrong or are being unreasonable: · Dave can be really stubborn once he’s made up his mind.· a stubborn old manobstinate very stubborn, in way that is annoying and unreasonable: · I have never met anyone so obstinate.· his obstinate refusal to compromisepig-headed informal refusing to change your mind, even when people think that what you want to do is stupid: · I told her she was making a big mistake but she was too pig-headed to listen.· I wish you’d stop being so pig-headed!headstrong very determined to do what you want, often without thinking about the results of your actions – used especially about young people: · As a girl, she had been lively and headstrong.· the headstrong impulsiveness of youthwilful British English (also willful American English) doing what you want, even after you have been told to stop, or when you know that it is wrong – used especially about children: · He was a spoiled and wilful child, who always got his own way.· She was passionate and wilful – exactly the sort of creature a man ought to avoid.ornery American English behaving in an unreasonable and often angry way, especially by doing the opposite of what people want you to do: · an ornery kid· Teenagers can be ornery and rude.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- stubborn weeds
- a stubborn old man
- Despite stubborn opposition, the President managed to raise interest rates.
- I've got a very stubborn streak and I discovered that I couldn't bear people telling me what I could and couldn't eat.
- I told him it was a bad idea, but Dave's so stubborn that he just never listens.
- Jean-Paul can be as a stubborn as a mule.
- The oil companies face stubborn resistance from environmentalists.
- We need to do something about Craig, but he's so stubborn I just know he wouldn't listen if we tried to talk to him.
- Your father is so stubborn - he won't listen.
- A man of great personal charm, he was yet stubborn and pugnacious towards those with whom he disagreed.
- Can't you get that into your stubborn skull, Mr Hebden?
- I was stubborn, so was she.
- If the nearer accepts it she is branded as a liar at worst and as stubborn at best.
- She was a stubborn, loyal Aries, the best kind of friend to have.
- She was behaving like an ostrich about Old Red - and a stubborn ostrich at that!
- Tax policy would be ruled by stubborn one-third minorities, many among them cruising for policy payoffs to drop their opposition.
- To their left was the long forbidding wood with its tangle of trees and stubborn defenders.
THESAURUS
refusing to change your mind, even when people think you are wrong or are being unreasonable: · Dave can be really stubborn once he’s made up his mind.· a stubborn old man
very stubborn, in way that is annoying and unreasonable: · I have never met anyone so obstinate.· his obstinate refusal to compromise
informal refusing to change your mind, even when people think that what you want to do is stupid: · I told her she was making a big mistake but she was too pig-headed to listen.· I wish you’d stop being so pig-headed!
very determined to do what you want, often without thinking about the results of your actions – used especially about young people: · As a girl, she had been lively and headstrong.· the headstrong impulsiveness of youth
British English (also willful American English) doing what you want, even after you have been told to stop, or when you know that it is wrong – used especially about children: · He was a spoiled and wilful child, who always got his own way.· She was passionate and wilful – exactly the sort of creature a man ought to avoid.
American English behaving in an unreasonable and often angry way, especially by doing the opposite of what people want you to do: · an ornery kid· Teenagers can be ornery and rude.
Longman Language Activatorto refuse to change your mind determined not to change your mind, even when people think you are being unreasonable: · We need to do something about Craig, but he's so stubborn I just know he wouldn't listen if we tried to talk to him.a stubborn streak (=a stubborn part of your character): · I've got a very stubborn streak and I discovered that I couldn't bear people telling me what I could and couldn't eat. stubborn as a mule (=very stubborn): · Jean-Paul can be as a stubborn as a mule.
to refuse to change your opinions or plans even though other people are trying to make you: · When you know that you are right, you have to stand firm and defend your principles.stand firm against: · We stood firm against any deal with the terrorists.stand firm on: · The president has failed to stand firm on his promise to allow gays to serve in the military.
to refuse to change your position in an argument even though other people are trying to persuade you to change it: · They tried to make him change his mind, but he stood his ground.stand your ground against: · Richard always went along with Ella's plans, never once daring to stand his ground against her.
formal refusing to do what other people want you to do, even if this is unreasonable: · For many years the South African government remained intransigent, despite mounting world opposition to apartheid.intransigent on: · The Church has been criticized for being intransigent on the issues of abortion and birth control.
determined in a way that is annoying or silly someone who is stubborn refuses to change their mind about something, even when people think they are wrong or are being unreasonable: · I told him it was a bad idea, but Dave's so stubborn that he just never listens.· a stubborn old man
someone who is obstinate always does what they want and refuses to change their mind, even when this is annoying and unreasonable: · How do you deal with an obstinate teenager who always says she isn't hungry?· You know I'm right really. You're just being obstinate.
informal use this about someone who refuses to change their mind when you think that what they want to do is stupid: · He really was the most pig-headed man I've ever had the misfortune to meet.· Don't be so pig-headed! You can't possibly drive home after the amount you've had to drink.
someone who is headstrong is very independent and wants to do things in the way that they want, without listening to other people's advice or thinking about the results of their actions: · Leo's parents soon found that they were completely unable to control their headstrong son.· Suzie was headstrong, and sometimes thoughtless of other people's feelings.
British /willful American someone who is wilful , especially a child or young person, deliberately behaves badly by continuing to do what they want to do, even after they have been told to stop: · Billy is a very wilful little boy who's constantly being punished for not doing as he's told.· Sometimes kids who are described as difficult or wilful just need a little extra love and attention.
if you say that someone will not listen , you mean that they refuse to accept other people's helpful advice or opinions: · I've told him again and again what I think, but he won't listen.not listen to reason: · Wait until she calms down. She's far too upset at the moment to listen to reason.
behaviour that shows determination: determined effort (to do something) · The world must make a more determined effort to stop the flow of arms to trouble spots.determined resistance/opposition etc (from somebody) · The proposal met with determined opposition from the government.
: stubborn opposition/resistance/defence etc when the people involved are very determined to get what they want in a difficult situation and refuse to let anyone change their mind: · Despite stubborn opposition, the President managed to raise interest rates.· The oil companies face stubborn resistance from environmentalists.
steadfast actions or behaviour show that you are determined not to change your beliefs or your support for someone, especially because you want to be loyal to them: steadfast belief/refusal/support etc: · Malta's steadfast defence from 1940-43 played an important part in the course of the war.· the steadfast support of America's alliesremain steadfast in your belief/loyalty/determination etc: · As a politician, you have to show resilience - the ability to remain steadfast in your beliefs.
resolute actions or behaviour show that you are strongly determined not to change your opinions or intentions, even though other people want you to change them: · Tough policies and resolute leadership always create enemies.resolute action/measures/opposition etc: · In the face of resolute opposition, the bill was withdrawn in November.stand resolute: · The players stood resolute in the hope of having their former agreement renewed.
dogged actions or behaviour show that you are very determined to continue doing something, even though it is difficult or takes a long time, and refuse to let others prevent you: dogged determination/persistence/insistence etc: · In the end we succeeded, through dogged determination plus a bit of good luck.· The dogged persistence of the police finally paid off when Hooper told them what he knew.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY I’ve got a very stubborn streak (=a tendency to be stubborn). Paul can be as stubborn as a mule (=very stubborn).COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
I’ve got a very stubborn streak (=a tendency to be stubborn). Paul can be as stubborn as a mule (=very stubborn). (=a refusal even when others think this is unreasonable)· Her stubborn refusal to admit the truth was trying his patience.
· The stubborn resistance of the people remains an inspiring example.
(=one that is hard to remove)· Lighter fuel can be used to remove more stubborn stains.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· And Clare's just as stubborn and just as silly.· Each wore a frown as stubborn as the other's.· This can be a helpful approach in discussion - some one may regard you as stubborn, whereas you see yourself as determined.
· You are the most stubborn, irritating child I have ever come across!· These appear to be the most stubborn obstacles to our believing that the inscription reproduces essentially the words of Themistokles.· Those last few pounds can prove the most stubborn, but the F-Plan will help.· He was at his most stubborn, and gave the predictable answers to the obvious questions.· He frowned. ` Steve Waugh's the most stubborn batsman in world cricket.
· Why the devil was she so stubborn?· It amazed me, to tell you the truth, that you could be so stubborn.· Edward, why is your country so resistant, why are you so stubborn?· He's an old donkey, so stubborn.
· He can be very stubborn at times.· Only a very stubborn man could have believed that reason would prevail in a case such as this one.· He can be very stubborn about his principles.· In this way she seems to be a very stubborn character.· He was so very stubborn and single-minded when he went after something he wanted.
NOUN· As the family kept vigil, the children saw at close quarters the stubborn determination of their stepmother.· There was no cheering on the part of the men, but a stubborn determination to obey orders and do their duty.
· Perhaps it was her stubborn refusal to see her family broken up that made Mrs Breen appealing to Farnham.
· However, Wainwright offered stubborn resistance, and responded with some hard hitting from the baseline to level the score at 6-6.· What accounted for this stubborn resistance of nationalities to the predicted assimilation?· After two-and-a-half years of stubborn resistance, the Republic collapsed rapidly during the first three months of 1939.
· Luckily, I had that stubborn streak to give me the determination to do it.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
1determined not to change your mind, even when people think you are being unreasonable: - After two-and-a-half years of stubborn resistance, the Republic collapsed rapidly during the first three months of 1939.
- As the family kept vigil, the children saw at close quarters the stubborn determination of their stepmother.
- However, Wainwright offered stubborn resistance, and responded with some hard hitting from the baseline to level the score at 6-6.
- Perhaps it was her stubborn refusal to see her family broken up that made Mrs Breen appealing to Farnham.
- There was no cheering on the part of the men, but a stubborn determination to obey orders and do their duty.
- What accounted for this stubborn resistance of nationalities to the predicted assimilation?
Why are you so stubborn? I’ve got a very stubborn streak (=a tendency to be stubborn). Paul can be as stubborn as a mule (=very stubborn).► see thesaurus at determined2 stubborn resistance/refusal/determination etc a very strong and determined refusal etc: a stubborn refusal to face reality3difficult to remove, deal with, or use SYN tough: stubborn stains—stubbornly adverb: ‘I don’t care,’ she said stubbornly.—stubbornness noun [uncountable]THESAURUSstubborn refusing to change your mind, even when people think you are wrong or are being unreasonable: · Dave can be really stubborn once he’s made up his mind.· a stubborn old manobstinate very stubborn, in way that is annoying and unreasonable: · I have never met anyone so obstinate.· his obstinate refusal to compromisepig-headed informal refusing to change your mind, even when people think that what you want to do is stupid: · I told her she was making a big mistake but she was too pig-headed to listen.· I wish you’d stop being so pig-headed!headstrong very determined to do what you want, often without thinking about the results of your actions – used especially about young people: · As a girl, she had been lively and headstrong.· the headstrong impulsiveness of youthwilful British English (also willful American English) doing what you want, even after you have been told to stop, or when you know that it is wrong – used especially about children: · He was a spoiled and wilful child, who always got his own way.· She was passionate and wilful – exactly the sort of creature a man ought to avoid.ornery American English behaving in an unreasonable and often angry way, especially by doing the opposite of what people want you to do: · an ornery kid· Teenagers can be ornery and rude.