Synonyms

headstrong

American

[hed-strawng, -strong] / ˈhɛdˌstrɔŋ, -ˌstrɒŋ /

adjective

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

a headstrong young man.

Antonyms:

docile, tractable
proceeding from or exhibiting willfulness.

a headstrong course.

headstrong British

/ ˈhɛdˌstrɒŋ /

adjective

self-willed; obstinate
(of an action) heedless; rash

"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

Related Words

See willful.

Other Word Forms

headstrongly adverb
headstrongness noun

Etymology

Origin of headstrong

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

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.

Eisner said his family are "walking headstrong into this storm" to keep the Fratton Park club going after a comparatively small £4.4m loss last season.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

We don’t yet want to say that the situation has spiraled out of control, but the spiral could be only a couple of headstrong choices away.

From Slate • Mar. 21, 2026

For her role as a young woman in conflict with her headstrong father in 1985’s “Twice in a Lifetime,” Madigan received an Oscar nomination for supporting actress.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 25, 2025

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

Jason felt the south winds zipping around him, whinnying in challenge like headstrong mustangs, testing his will.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023