What does wrongheadedness mean?
Wrongheadedness is an abstract noun meaning stubborn or perverse bad judgment. It refers to a persistent way of thinking in which someone maintains an ill-judged opinion, policy, or course of action despite reasons to reconsider. The term is more specific than a general word such as foolishness: it implies that the person or institution involved is committed to an unreasonable position, rather than merely having made an occasional mistake. In contemporary English, wrongheadedness is chiefly used in political, journalistic, and analytical contexts, often to criticize decisions that appear stubborn, badly reasoned, or perversely opposed to evidence. Because of its judgmental tone, it is not normally used for minor errors or neutral descriptions of disagreement. The word is relatively uncommon in everyday speech but useful when discussing a sustained failure of judgment rather than a single lapse.
nounThe quality or state of holding or pursuing ill-judged, stubborn, or perverse opinions. It denotes conspicuous or persistent bad judgment rather than an isolated mistake.
- Persistent bad or stubborn judgment, especially in opinions, policies, or conduct.
"Her refusal to reconsider the evidence was dismissed as sheer wrongheadedness."
"The inquiry concluded that the committee's decision reflected political wrongheadedness rather than careful assessment."
"Addressing the delegates' wrongheadedness, he urged them to reconsider the proposal from the other side's perspective."
A grammatical plural exists, but it is rare and occurs chiefly in formal or historical prose discussing multiple instances of bad judgment.
"Those two decisions are remembered more for their political wrongheadednesses than for their results."
Wrongheadedness names the stubborn conviction that one's own direction is the only sensible one.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of wrongheadedness
Wrongheadedness was formed from the adjective wrong-headed by adding the noun-forming suffix -ness. The compound adjective itself combines wrong with headed and was in use by the early 19th century. Its idea of a head turned in the wrong direction is figurative, referring figuratively to an ill-directed or perverse cast of mind.
Related word forms
How wrongheadedness is actually used
This is a somewhat formal and disapproving noun. It usually suggests deliberate persistence in an ill-judged position, so it is stronger and more judgmental than a simple description of making an error. It is uncommon in everyday speech, and the plural is especially rare.
Easily confused with wrongheadedness
Wrongheadedness names the quality of bad or stubborn judgment, whereas wrongheaded is an adjective describing a person, idea, or policy marked by that quality.