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Synonyms

stubborn as a mule

Idioms  

  1. Extremely obstinate, as in He's stubborn as a mule about wearing a suit and tie. This simile evokes the proverbial stubbornness of mules, whose use as draft animals was once so common that the reputation for obstinacy can hardly be as warranted as the term indicates. [Early 1800s]

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.

"Michael knew all of this, but as his friends and family will attest, he was passionate, and stubborn as a mule."

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2024

“But age comes for us all, and Mitch is stubborn as a mule, and he’s tough. And so he’s been in my prayers in recent weeks.”

From Slate • Sep. 7, 2023

As always, though, V. I. remains the most vivid participant in this case, stubborn as a mule — although she sees herself as another animal entirely.

From New York Times • Apr. 17, 2020

"My husband's stubborn as a mule, and he wouldn't leave," Wash told KABC-TV.

From US News • Jul. 25, 2016

“He’s stubborn as a mule and proud as a horse. He’s got a pride like brass.”

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

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.