Stubborn

Resists changing an opinion, decision, or behavior even under pressure or new information.

The core meaning of Stubborn is: Resists changing an opinion, decision, or behavior even under pressure or new information. Observable behavior: Holds ground tenaciously and may continue a course because yielding feels unacceptable, whether or not adjustment would help. Context for Stubborn: The tendency is best understood through repeated behavior across situations, because intention, intensity, timing, and consequences can change how it is experienced. Similar traits for Stubborn: obstinate, strong-willed, fixed — related qualities that overlap with Stubborn while differing in motive, behavior, or intensity. Opposite traits for Stubborn: flexible, tractable, yielding — useful contrasts showing how behavior or judgment can move in a different direction from Stubborn. Stubborn is context-dependent rather than automatically good or bad; its effect changes with intensity, timing, culture, goals, and the person’s ability to adapt when circumstances change. To assess Stubborn fairly, look for a consistent pattern across time and situations, consider the surrounding context, and avoid defining someone by a single incident.