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hardheadedness

hardheadedness

1 7.6
A way of acting that refuses to change your mind because of feelings or others' views
  • noun
  • /ˈhɑrdˈhɛdɪdnəs/
translation icon : obstinación
  • Despite the criticism, his hardheadedness pushed him to stick to his original plan without changing course.

Examples

  • Her hardheadedness often leads her to pursue practical solutions, regardless of what others think.

  • Honestly, I think the hardheadedness is the thing that gets to us the most, but we're starting to be better at it.

    Blog text (25)
  • But then, hardheadedness was always your virtue.

  • Washington has demonstrated an extraordinary degree of hardheadedness when it comes to acknowledging the limits of its military and intelligence capabilities to combat the terrorist threat.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Anyone who doubts the hardheadedness of the Reagan administration needs to remember not only the sharp focus of Reagan's strategy but also the highly discriminating and limiting conditions.

    Academic text (1996)
  • The hardheadedness displayed by the team made it difficult for them to accept any feedback or suggestions.

Synonyms

hard line
vshardheadedness
24 5.1

A firm position that accepts no compromise in politics or talks

is a general personal quality not limited to political stances
stubbornness
vshardheadedness
21 3.6

Refusing to change your mind or actions even when there are good reasons

is about practical decision making rather than blind persistence
intransigence
vshardheadedness
10 8.7

Refusal to change your mind or to agree with others

is more tied to practical choices rather than mere refusal to agree
rigidity
vshardheadedness
7 7.0

Very strict and unwilling to change rules or plans

is more about personal practical decision making than rigid rule following
pigheadedness
vshardheadedness
  • Informal
1 7.9

Refusing to change your mind even when you are wrong

leans toward sensible experience based decisions rather than pointless stubbornness
stiffness
vshardheadedness
1 5.3

A strict way of acting or thinking that does not change

is more about practical mindset rather than harsh severity
obstinance
vshardheadedness
1 7.9

Being stubborn and refusing to change your mind

focuses on practical judgment rather than plain refusal to change
hard-nosed approach
vshardheadedness
1 5.8

A practical, strict way to handle problems to get results

is more about being fixed and resisting others' opinions
bullheadedness
vshardheadedness
1 8.3

Refusing to change ideas or plans even when it is not reasonable

shows practical firmness rather than blind unreasonable refusal
unyieldingness
vshardheadedness
8.1

A refusal to change an opinion or action despite pressure

is more focused on practical thinking rather than sheer firmness
cementhead approach
vshardheadedness
  • Informal
9.9

A way of doing things that is stubborn and refuses to change

is a personal quality that includes practical resistance to influence
hammer-headed attitude
vshardheadedness
8.6

Not willing to change views or listen to others

is more about practical judgment and less about mere inflexibility

Antonyms

153 3.6

Ability to change plans or actions easily to fit new situations

A willingness to accept new ideas or feedback

How Stubborn

pigheadedness
  • Informal
1 7.9
obstinacy
3 7.6
hardheadedness
1 7.6
determination
142 3.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

hardheadedness = hardheaded (transparent) = hard + head + ed + ness

The noun is formed by adding the productive suffix '-ness' to the transparent adjective 'hardheaded' (itself analyzable as 'hard' + 'headed'), so the overall meaning is directly derived.

Etymology

The word hardheadedness breaks into hard ('firm, not soft'), head ('mind' or 'thinking'), and -ness (to make a noun). So, picture a person with a 'hard head' — someone practical and stubborn who is not easily moved by feelings.