hardheaded

adjective

ˈhärd-ˈhe-dəd How to pronounce hardheaded (audio)
Definition of hardheadednext
1
as in smart
having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment a hardheaded politician who never hesitated to set aside principle in favor of expediency

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stubborn
sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion Granny remained hardheaded about keeping her house and not moving into a nursing home

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in pragmatic
willing to see things as they really are and deal with them sensibly a hardheaded minister who understands the difficulties teenagers face today

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hardheaded In the complicated, thorny, offensive, manipulative, sometimes hilarious, sometimes uncomfortable video interview, which evokes the feeling of an uncle sitting down with his hardheaded nephew, Thug is reeling and full of so much anxiety that his legs are shaking. — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 11 Sep. 2025 Flash mobs in the Loop are a real problem demanding hardheaded solutions. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025 British officials know this and sometimes despair that their country has not found a way to be more hardheaded. — Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025 As Iran’s willingness to engage with the United States over its nuclear program showed, it is driven by hardheaded calculations of national interest, not a desire to spread its Islamic Revolution abroad. — Vali Nasr, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2018 See All Example Sentences for hardheaded
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardheaded
  1. smart
  2. stubborn
  3. pragmatic
  4. shrewd
  5. adamant
  6. realistic
  7. astute
  8. practical
Adjective
  • But by defending in this way, Chelsea are giving smart opponents the advantage in the battle for possession.
    — Jon Mackenzie, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • But getting there wasn’t just about making smart product decisions.
    — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of smart
Adjective
  • Speaking in Jackson Hole, Wyoming late last week, Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh highlighted his worries about stubborn inflation .
    — Darla Mercado, CFP®, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Knight set up Darby on a table and hit a springboard clothesline on the stubborn announce table.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of stubborn
Adjective
  • The mood of the season was taking a very pragmatic and utilitarian item, and transforming it into something much more decorative and fashun.
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 27 Aug. 2026
  • But Still Coming Down isn’t a fatalistic album as a whole, just a pragmatic one.
    — Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of pragmatic
Adjective
  • With just over a month remaining before the start of training camp, Perry has reportedly made another shrewd salary cap move to avoid the NBA luxury tax.
    — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Goretzka is viewed as a shrewd potential signing, owing to his experience, leadership and physicality.
    — Aston Villa, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of shrewd
Adjective
  • Her mom handmade her dress Parton was adamant about having her mom, Avie Lee Parton, present for her nuptials.
    — Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
  • But Coppola was adamant, and Eastman used her leverage to help secure Pacino’s place.
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of adamant
Adjective
  • Keeping him and his elite scoring ability would give the Red Wings a much more realistic ability to compete in the near future.
    — Max Bultman, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The states’ lawyers had signaled roughly $200 billion was a more realistic target at trial.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of realistic
Adjective
  • The audience is in on the mockery of this dim-witted man, whose astute wife can see right through him.
    — Stephanie Vander Wel, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026
  • There is too much going on here for this novel to work, but Andersen is an uncommon writer, a skilled historical novelist as well as an astute cultural observer and historical interpreter.
    — John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of astute
Adjective
  • Turning the measured effect into a practical quantum-control tool will require researchers to understand and manage the remaining optical imperfections.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The upcoming holidays will test AI's practical advantage in navigating uncertainty and building resilient retail businesses.
    — Jill Standish, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of practical

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hardhead
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Cite this Entry

“Hardheaded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardheaded. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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