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 Rory Alexander will play a younger version of Duncan LaCroix's Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser, Jamie's beloved cousin, while Sam Retford will portray headstrong future war chieftain Dougal MacKenzie (a role originated by Graham McTavish, who now appears on Men In Kilts with star Sam Heughan). Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 7 Mar. 2024 Photo: Courtesy Everett Collection Director Joe Wright’s version of the Jane Austen classic stars Keira Knightley as the headstrong Elizabeth Bennet, who juggles family drama with a rather hectic romantic life. Radhika Seth, Vogue, 22 Feb. 2024 In 1972, the actress, in her 30s at the time, walked onstage to accept the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role playing a headstrong call girl in Klute. Liza Esquibias, Peoplemag, 14 Jan. 2024 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

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 29 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!