Definition

The quality of being stubborn or unwilling to change one's mind.

Example

Her hardheadedness often led to conflicts with her colleagues.

Conversation

Have you noticed how his hardheadedness always gets in the way of our plans?

Yeah, it's like he refuses to see other perspectives sometimes.

Exactly! I wish he would just listen to us for once.

Me too, it would make everything so much easier.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Hardheadedness → It is formed from "hard" (from Old English "heard", meaning firm or solid) and "headed" (from "head", meaning the part of the body where the mind is located) combined with the suffix "-ness" (meaning the state or quality of). The word describes the state of being stubborn or inflexible in one's opinions or decisions, as if one's head is hard like a rock.

Memory Tip

Think of someone whose opinions are as firm as a 'hard' surface, and 'headed' refers to their mindset. This helps you remember that 'hardheadedness' means being stubborn or inflexible.

Visually Confused Words