strong-willed woman

Meanings

1. 1phrasecountable

   A woman who is determined to do what she wants and is not easily controlled by others.

   Grammar: Countable: 'a strong-willed woman' or 'strong-willed women'. The adjective 'strong-willed' can describe anyone, not only women.

   Patterns

   • a strong-willed woman
   • be strong-willed
   • a strong-willed child

   She's a strong-willed woman who never gives up on her goals.

   His mother was a strong-willed woman who raised five children alone.

   As a strong-willed woman, she refused to change her mind just to please others.

2. 2phrasecountabledisapproving

   A woman who insists on having her own way, sometimes in a way others find difficult.

   Grammar: This sense is often disapproving; it can suggest stubbornness rather than admirable determination.

   Patterns

   • a strong-willed woman
   • too strong-willed
   • a strong-willed personality

   Some people found her a strong-willed woman who was hard to work with.

   He called his sister a strong-willed woman because she always argued with him.

Word forms

Common combinations

a strong-willed woman

She is a strong-willed woman who started her own business.

strong-willed child

Their strong-willed child refuses to go to bed on time.

be strong-willed

You have to be strong-willed to finish a marathon.

strong-willed personality

Her strong-willed personality helps her lead the team.

Synonyms and how they differ

determined

Determined focuses on having a firm purpose; strong-willed emphasizes not being controlled by others and is often used for character.

headstrong

Headstrong is usually disapproving and suggests recklessness; strong-willed can be approving.

stubborn

Stubborn is clearly negative and means refusing to change even when you should; strong-willed is often positive.

resolute

Resolute is formal and means very determined; strong-willed is more everyday and about personality.

Opposites

Word family

strong-willed adjective

Determined and not easily controlled.

willpower noun

The ability to control your own actions and decisions.

will noun

The power to decide and control what you do.

Commonly confused: strong-willed woman or strong woman?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “strong-willed woman”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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