1
as in smart
having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment
a hardheaded politician who never hesitated to set aside principle in favor of expediency
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stubborn
sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
Granny remained hardheaded about keeping her house and not moving into a nursing home
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in pragmatic
willing to see things as they really are and deal with them sensibly
a hardheaded minister who understands the difficulties teenagers face today
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hardheaded
In the complicated, thorny, offensive, manipulative, sometimes hilarious, sometimes uncomfortable video interview, which evokes the feeling of an uncle sitting down with his hardheaded nephew, Thug is reeling and full of so much anxiety that his legs are shaking.
—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
11 Sep. 2025
Flash mobs in the Loop are a real problem demanding hardheaded solutions.
—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2025
British officials know this and sometimes despair that their country has not found a way to be more hardheaded.
—
Sam Knight,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2025
As Iran’s willingness to engage with the United States over its nuclear program showed, it is driven by hardheaded calculations of national interest, not a desire to spread its Islamic Revolution abroad.
—
Vali Nasr,
Foreign Affairs,
13 Feb. 2018
See All Example Sentences for hardheaded
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
11 Sep. 2025
Flash mobs in the Loop are a real problem demanding hardheaded solutions.
—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2025
British officials know this and sometimes despair that their country has not found a way to be more hardheaded.
—
Sam Knight,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2025
As Iran’s willingness to engage with the United States over its nuclear program showed, it is driven by hardheaded calculations of national interest, not a desire to spread its Islamic Revolution abroad.
—
Vali Nasr,
Foreign Affairs,
13 Feb. 2018
See All Example Sentences for hardheaded
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardheaded
Adjective
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Share a smart idea with a neighbor, then turn it into a clear message while your mind stays agile.
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The Knicks could, hypothetically, trade a starter to create space beneath the second apron to re-sign Robinson, but breaking up a starting five that just won a title is not a smart idea.
Adjective
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The weather service’s forecast discussion for Kansas City said the stubborn heat could last through the Fourth of July.
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Against all odds, the stubborn housing market has become a hotspot for young talent.
Adjective
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From the European cultural point of view there was, here in the Mediterranean, a pragmatic culture which regarded the divine presence as self-evident.
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The Zmajevi are strong, aggressive and pragmatic – notably very dangerous from set-pieces.
Adjective
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Mary — played by Deirdre O’Connell, who has been in a million things, most recently The Penguin and Eddington — is too shrewd to just agree to sell the air rights for whatever price best suits Jimmy & Co.
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But even here, Wilde’s stylistic choices can veer from shrewd to overly studied.
Adjective
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And in Season Two, Survival of the Thickest went all out on a dream wedding for Peppermint, an idea Buteau was adamant about making it on screen.
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Advertisement Throughout negotiations, Tehran has been adamant that any cease-fire with Washington must also end the hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, and that any permanent truce must lead to Israel withdrawing its forces from southern Lebanon.
Adjective
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There are other realistic podium contenders worth mentioning.
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Most independent observers have suggested that a 12- to 18-month timeline is probably the most realistic for New Glenn’s return to flight.
Adjective
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However, astute investors can identify when fear has pushed expectations below a reasonable future outlook.
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They were refined and astute thinkers.
Adjective
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Aquarius January 20 – February 18 When opinions clash, lead with practical care.
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As a practical example, the Knicks would love to bring Shamet back to the team next season.
Cite this Entry
“Hardheaded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardheaded. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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