hardheaded
Americanadjective
-
not easily moved or deceived; practical; shrewd.
- Synonyms:
- down-to-earth, cool, pragmatic, realistic, astute
-
obstinate; stubborn; willful.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of hardheaded
First recorded in 1575–85
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.
Beyond the hardheaded negotiating, Emanuel says he’s also a great believer in serendipity—and in showing up every day to stay in the fight.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026
This almost certainly is not the case; they are much more hardheaded and cynical in their views of the world and their interests.
From Slate ● Sep. 10, 2026
The hardheaded reader will object that one of these examples isn’t like the others.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 3, 2023
But in these more hardheaded scenes, he also makes it clear that their impact can be unpredictable, and like comedy, they can deceive just as deftly.
From New York Times ● Dec. 9, 2022
Don’t be hardheaded and try to read this book now.
From "P.S. Be Eleven" by Rita Williams-Garcia
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.
