hardheaded

or hard-head·ed

[ hahrd-hed-id ]

/ ˈhɑrdˈhɛd ɪd /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: hardheaded / hardheadedness on Thesaurus.com

Definition of hardheaded

adjective

not easily moved or deceived; practical; shrewd.

obstinate; stubborn; willful.

OTHER WORDS FOR hardheaded

1 astute, realistic, pragmatic, cool, down-to-earth.

See synonyms for hardheaded on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of hardheaded

First recorded in 1575–85

OTHER WORDS FROM hardheaded

hard·head·ed·ly, adverbhard·head·ed·ness, noun

Words nearby hardheaded

hard ground, hardhack, hard-handed, hard hat, hardhead, hardheaded, hardheads, hardhead sponge, hardhearted, hard-hit, hard hitter

How to use hardheaded in a sentence

As I’ve said, he’s a hardheaded guy who’s not susceptible to a lot of creative fluttering.
Two Simple Rules for Progressing at Anything|cobrien|July 21, 2021|Outside Online
While welcome, this is actually a hardheaded and highly practical move.
CVS Quits Tobacco to Become a Medical Giant|Daniel Gross|February 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The hardheaded politician devoted to step-by- step progress was transformed in death into the consummate liberal idealist.
How Jackie Kennedy Invented the Camelot Legend After JFK’s Death|James Piereson|November 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But hardheaded operatives like Karl Rove could shift their resources to Senate and House contests.
GOP Civil War Is Coming as Mitt Romney Campaign Flails in Video’s Wake|Robert Shrum|September 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST

And so does the cause of decency in the hardheaded world of international affairs.
Ronald Reagan’s Lessons for the Chen Guangcheng Case|Walter Reich|May 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST
For the hardheaded, distributing Qurans would have another benefit.
The U.S. Military Should Hand Out Qurans in Afghanistan as a Good-Will Gesture|Richard Miniter|March 1, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Like all romancers, she is a little terrified at seeing one of her wildest conceits admitted by the hardheaded world.
Song of the Lark|Willa Cather
And she was glad to see that the hardheaded old miller was not much impressed by the man, either.
Ruth Fielding on the St. Lawrence|Alice B. Emerson
The son of the hardheaded father came out at a crisis; and not too highhandedly: he could hear an opposite argument to the end.
The Amazing Marriage, Complete|George Meredith
He was thorough, practical, and after he had cut his mountain teeth in the Peace River disaster, a hardheaded man at his work.
The Daughter of a Magnate|Frank H. Spearman
The man of science like the man in the street has to face hardheaded facts that cannot be blinked and explain them as best he can.
Ulysses|James Joyce

British Dictionary definitions for hardheaded

hard-headed

adjective

tough, realistic, or shrewd; not moved by sentiment

mainly US and Canadian stubborn; obstinate

Derived forms of hard-headed

hard-headedly, adverbhard-headedness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012