hardheaded
3 synonyms and 2 antonyms for hardheaded, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Stubborn and unwilling to change one's mind.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Stubborn and unwilling to change one's mind.
“She's too hardheaded to admit she was wrong.”
Opposites
2. adj
Practical and realistic rather than sentimental; pragmatic.
“The report offered a hardheaded assessment of the company's finances.”
Opposites
How to use hardheaded
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
hardheaded businessman
hardheaded realism
hardheaded and stubborn
Etymology
Formed from hard + headed, first recorded around the mid-15th century.
Full origin of hardheaded →Frequently asked questions
What does “hardheaded” mean?
The word “hardheaded” means stubborn and unwilling to change one's mind. In plain terms, either stubborn, or coolly practical rather than emotional — the meaning depends on context.
How do you use “hardheaded” in a sentence?
Here is “hardheaded” used in a sentence: “She's too hardheaded to admit she was wrong.”
What part of speech is “hardheaded”?
“Hardheaded” is an adjective.
Where does the word “hardheaded” come from?
The word “hardheaded” dates back to around 1400. Formed from hard + headed, first recorded around the mid-15th century.
How many meanings does “hardheaded” have?
“Hardheaded” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: stubborn and unwilling to change one's mind.
