hard-headed
Britishadjective
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tough, realistic, or shrewd; not moved by sentiment
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stubborn; obstinate
Other Word Forms
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Having already slashed tariffs on whisky exports to India, we’re now doing the same with China—proof that our pragmatic, hard-headed international engagement brings benefits at home,” Starmer said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 29, 2026
He has played the hard-headed Brian Aldridge for 50 years, and wants to carry on for at least a little longer.
From BBC ● Mar. 25, 2025
Andrew Cuomo—the hard-headed former governor of New York state —became something of a national hero in 2020 with his no-nonsense press conferences.
From Slate ● Mar. 11, 2025
She framed much of her speech at the church as a conversation with God, describing herself over and over again as flawed, imperfect and hard-headed.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 14, 2024
She’s got a point—if my stubborn, hard-headed brother decided he was going to look for me, no one would be able to stop him.
From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
