What does stubbornness mean?
Stubbornness is the quality of holding firmly to an opinion, position, or course of action despite persuasion, criticism, or practical difficulties. It describes a form of resistance that can prevent compromise and make problems harder to resolve. The term is usually negative: stubborn people are portrayed as unwilling to reconsider even when circumstances change or their position is unreasonable. In less conventional or more sympathetic contexts, however, it may suggest persistence, resilience, or loyalty to a principle. The related adjective stubborn is more common in everyday use and often describes a person, while stubbornness more often names the trait itself. The expression sheer stubbornness emphasizes the strength of the resistance, and a reputation for stubbornness implies that others regularly encounter it. The word is understood in both British and American English, with no major regional difference in meaning or usage.
nounThe quality of being determined to maintain one's position or refuse to change one's course despite persuasion, opposition, or difficulty.
- The quality of refusing to change one's opinion, abandon a position, or accept a course of action, especially in the face of persuasion or opposition.
"Her stubbornness prevented her from acknowledging that the original plan was no longer practical."
"What appeared to be caution was actually a stubborn refusal to reconsider the proposal."
"The negotiator's stubbornness prolonged the dispute but eventually produced a lasting agreement."
Rare; stubbornness is normally used as an uncountable noun.
"The negotiations exposed the stubbornnesses of all three parties."
Stubbornness is the friction point where determination can turn into defiance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does stubbornness come from?
Stubbornness was formed in English by adding the suffix -ness to the adjective stubborn. The adjective is recorded in Middle English, although its precise development is debated; it is commonly connected with stub, an Old English word for a stump or short projecting remnant. The association suggests a metaphor of something fixed or resistant, though the exact historical route by which the modern meanings arose remains uncertain.
Related word forms
How stubbornness is actually used
The word usually has a mildly negative connotation, suggesting excessive resistance or refusal to accept advice. In some contexts it can imply admirable persistence, though that interpretation is less common.