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stubbornly

B2
adverb

Pronunciation

UK

  • /stˈʌbənli/

US

  • /ˈstəbərnli/

Description

Imagine a little mule refusing to budge, no matter how much you pull. That is the spirit of "stubbornly." It describes doing something in a determined and inflexible way, even when the situation is difficult or other people disagree. A child might stubbornly refuse to eat vegetables, or an artist might stubbornly stick to a personal vision despite harsh criticism.

"Stubbornly" tells us how an action is done. It is not just about having a stubborn personality; it is about holding on to a position with great firmness. Think of someone stubbornly defending their beliefs, even when strong evidence suggests they should change their mind. They are not just standing still; they are actively refusing to back down.

Examples

  1. 1

    Apology

    He stubbornly refused to apologize.

  2. 2

    Disagreement

    Even when everyone disagreed, she stubbornly insisted that her version was right.

  3. 3

    Habit

    My grandfather stubbornly sticks to the routine he learned in the army.

    • Pattern

      stick to + routine/plan

      continue doing or using it

  4. 4

    Problem solving

    The team stubbornly kept working on the same idea, although it clearly wasn't solving the problem.

  5. 5

    Prices

    Rent in the city has stubbornly remained high this year.

  6. 6

    Difficult stain

    That coffee stain stubbornly refused to come out of the carpet.

    • Pattern

      something stubbornly refuses to + verb

      it is very hard to make it change, move, or disappear

See also

adverbin an unyielding way, refusing to change or give in

Similar

Shades of meaning

Contrast

Used with (collocations)

  • stubbornly refuse
  • stubbornly insist
  • stubbornly cling to

Word family

Explore

  • resistance
  • determination

Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • stubbornlyadverb