What does stubborner mean?
Stubborner is the comparative form of stubborn and means more unyielding, resistant, or unwilling to change one's position. It describes a person, organization, or attitude that holds firmly to a course of action despite persuasion, difficulty, or practical concerns. The word often carries a mildly negative connotation, suggesting inflexibility rather than admirable persistence, although the context can affect that judgment. For example, someone who refuses to acknowledge clear evidence may be called stubborner, while a negotiator who holds firmly to essential safety requirements might be described similarly. The word is especially natural in comparisons, as in 'more stubborn than before' or 'even stubborner than expected.' It belongs to everyday formal and informal English and is understood in both British and American usage.
adjectiveMore stubborn than usual or than someone or something else; more determinedly resistant to change, persuasion, or compromise.
- The comparative form of stubborn, meaning more unyielding, resistant, or unwilling to change one's position.
"When negotiations failed, the two sides became even stubborner."
"The younger sibling was even stubborner than his older brother."
"Faced with repeated delays, the engineers became increasingly stubborner in their refusal to compromise on safety."
Sometimes the only thing that changes in a stubborn argument is the length of the resistance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of stubborner
The form derives from Middle English stubborn, an adjective meaning firmly established or difficult to move, with the comparative suffix -er added to form stubborner. The precise development of stubborn is debated, although it is commonly associated with the older English sense of a stub or projecting part. Related forms include the adverb stubbornly and the noun stubbornness, all preserving the same sense of firmness and resistance.
Related word forms
How stubborner is actually used
This is the comparative form of stubborn. It is most natural when comparing two people or two attitudes; the intensified form 'even stubborner' is also common.
Easily confused with stubborner
Stubber means more determinedly unyielding, whereas stubble is the short growth of beard or the remaining ends of cut stalks.