headstrong

[hed-strawng, -strong]

adjective

1. determined to have one's own way; willful; stubborn; obstinate.

   a headstrong young man.

   Antonyms: docile, tractable

2. proceeding from or exhibiting willfulness.

   a headstrong course.

headstrong

/ ˈhɛdˌstrɒŋ /

adjective

1. self-willed; obstinate

2. (of an action) heedless; rash

Other Word Forms

• headstrongly adverb
• headstrongness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of headstrong¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, headstrong is from the Middle English word heedstronge. See head, strong

Synonym Study

See willful.

Example Sentences

As a headstrong piano student, he made rapid if idiosyncratic progress.

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Douglas Century’s “Crash of the Heavens” brings to life the headstrong, charismatic heroine who was both a fearless warrior and a precocious writer.

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The headstrong American starlet, cast as Belmondo’s noncommittal lover, is convinced that Godard is working toward a disaster and gets most of her enjoyment from teasing her prickly boss.

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The winner of senior badminton and table tennis competitions around the world, she is, at her core, an athlete — competitive, confident and, perhaps, a bit headstrong.

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This confounding and headstrong movie doesn’t reveal everything it’s after.

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Related Words

• impulsive