Meaning & use

headstrong

adjective·Academic

Stubbornly determined to act according to one's own wishes, resistant to advice or control.

See it in a sentence

The headstrong toddler refused to hold anyone's hand while crossing the yard.

Her headstrong nature made her a natural leader, though it sometimes clashed with authority.

A note on using this word

Headstrong can be mildly critical, suggesting reckless stubbornness, or admiring, suggesting strong independent will, depending on context.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

compliantdocile

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