headstrong

adjective

head·​strong ˈhed-ˌstrȯŋ How to pronounce headstrong (audio)
1
: not easily restrained : impatient of control, advice, or suggestions
a headstrong businessman
2
: directed by ungovernable will
violent headstrong actions
Choose the Right Synonym for headstrong

unruly, ungovernable, intractable, refractory, recalcitrant, willful, headstrong mean not submissive to government or control.

unruly implies lack of discipline or incapacity for discipline and often connotes waywardness or turbulence of behavior.

unruly children

ungovernable implies either an escape from control or guidance or a state of being unsubdued and incapable of controlling oneself or being controlled by others.

ungovernable rage

intractable suggests stubborn resistance to guidance or control.

intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste dump

refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold.

special schools for refractory children

recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority.

acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace

willful implies an obstinate determination to have one's own way.

a willful disregard for the rights of others

headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion.

a headstrong young cavalry officer

Examples of headstrong in a Sentence

The child is very headstrong. He is known for his headstrong behavior.
Recent Examples on the Web Moore was once a college music journalist at Western Connecticut State University, who quit the paper to create a fanzine—the OG Xerox, fold, staple and mail kind—full of writing too headstrong for school publications—the Richard Meltzer, Lester Bangs kind. Jonathan Rowe, SPIN, 23 Jan. 2024 Indeed, Freud — old, headstrong and dying — does not suffer fools gladly. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 9 Jan. 2024 Thank a headstrong Margot Robbie for Barbenheimer, the cultural phenomenon centered on Barbie and Oppenheimer's dual theatrical release. EW.com, 5 Dec. 2023 Maddy Wood, 14, plays the titular character as precocious, headstrong and – frequently – hilariously rude. Mitchel Benson, Sacramento Bee, 25 Jan. 2024 Predictably, Trump is up to Trumpy antics, which has created an explosive situation between him and Judge Kaplan, who is very smart but also very headstrong. Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 19 Jan. 2024 But on the invitation of a headstrong classmate, Mustafa al Touny, Khaled attends the London protest, more from youthful curiosity than revolutionary conviction. Sam Sacks, WSJ, 5 Jan. 2024 Meg, like L’Engle herself, is brainy, stubborn, headstrong, prone to anger at injustice and determined to do things her own way. Abigail Santamaria, WSJ, 6 Jan. 2024 Olivia the piglet was headstrong and stubborn, but funny in her own accidental way, and wildly perceptive about the world around her. Matthew Shaer, New York Times, 22 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'headstrong.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of headstrong was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near headstrong

Cite this Entry

“Headstrong.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headstrong. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

headstrong

adjective
head·​strong -ˌstrȯŋ How to pronounce headstrong (audio)
1
: not easily controlled : wanting one's own way
a headstrong child
2
: directed by uncontrollable will
violent headstrong actions

More from Merriam-Webster on headstrong

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