Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for stiff-necked. Search instead for stiff-backed.
Synonyms

stiff-necked

American  
[stif-nekt] / ˈstɪfˈnɛkt /

adjective

  1. having a stiff neck; having torticollis.

  2. haughty and obstinate; refractory.

    Synonyms:
    pigheaded, willful, intractable, obstinate, stubborn

stiff-necked British  

adjective

  1. haughtily stubborn or obstinate

"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

Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of stiff-necked

First recorded in 1520–30


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.

See Examples For:

The elves, half or whole, in “Rings of Power” are a stiff-necked bunch, less otherworldly than socially repressed.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2022

"I would argue that both governments have been excessively stiff-necked," Bunn says.

From Science Magazine ● Aug. 31, 2017

But America has a proud history of stiff-necked heroes.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 9, 2017

The people I grew up with were the descendants of stiff-necked troublemakers from County Mayo or the Abruzzi, men who never bowed to royalty — peasants to everyone but themselves.

From New York Times ● Jul. 14, 2014

“If your stiff-necked lord commander will allow it. Did your fires show you where to find this girl?”

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember new words for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com