stubbornly
gb/stˈʌbɚnli/ us/stˈʌbɚnli/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B2
property
1
in a stubborn, unyielding way
in a way that will not change or give in
Usage pattern:
[someone] stubbornly [refuses/insists/denies/resists] (to [do something])
Common mistake:
Often confused with determinedly; stubbornly usually suggests an unreasonable or unhelpful refusal to change.
Synonyms
obstinately (More formal; strongly negative tone.)
|
unyieldingly (Emphasizes not giving way under pressure.)
|
defiantly (Adds a sense of open challenge to authority.)
Antonyms
readily (Suggests quick willingness to change or agree.)
|
willingly (Emphasizes doing something without resistance.)
|
flexibly (Emphasizes adapting easily to change.)
Collocations
stubbornly refuse
|stubbornly insist
|stubbornly deny
|stubbornly resist
|stubbornly maintain
|stubbornly oppose
|stubbornly argue
|stubbornly cling to
|stubbornly defend
|stubbornly hold on to
Themes
personality
|emotions
|communication
Examples
- He stubbornly refused to apologize, even after he knew he was wrong.
- She stubbornly insisted that the email had been sent, despite the evidence.
- They stubbornly resisted any changes to the plan.
Learner examples
- He stubbornly said no.
- She stubbornly refused to help.
adverb
B2
state
2
remaining difficult to change
continuing and not changing easily
Usage pattern:
[something] remains stubbornly [high/low/unchanged/persistent]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use stubbornly for any kind of persistence; it most often implies the situation is frustratingly hard to change.
Synonyms
persistently (More neutral; does not necessarily imply frustration.)
|
tenaciously (Emphasizes strong holding on; often vivid or dramatic.)
|
intractably (More formal; stresses extreme difficulty of change.)
Antonyms
quickly (Suggests rapid change rather than continued resistance.)
|
easily (Opposes the idea of being hard to change or remove.)
|
steadily (Can imply change happening in a consistent direction.)
Collocations
stubbornly high
|stubbornly low
|stubbornly persistent
|stubbornly unchanged
|stubbornly remain
|stubbornly continue
|stubbornly survive
|stubbornly stay
|stubbornly resistant
|stubbornly stable
Themes
daily_life
|health
|business
|science
Examples
- Inflation remained stubbornly high throughout the year.
- The stain was stubbornly still visible after three washes.
- Support for the policy stayed stubbornly low in the polls.
Learner examples
- Prices are stubbornly high.
- The mark is stubbornly hard to remove.
Grammar
Dictionary form
stubbornly
IPA
GB/stˈʌbɚnli/
US/stˈʌbɚnli/
Syllables & stress
stub - bornly (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (stub)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: stubbornly
- Plural: stubbornlies
Expressions
stubbornly high/low
1/stˈʌbɚnli hˈaɪəloʊ/
fixed phrase
staying high or low
still very high/low and not changing
Examples
- Energy costs are stubbornly high this winter.
- Unemployment remained stubbornly low despite slower growth.
- Approval ratings stayed stubbornly low after the announcement.
stubbornly insist (on something/that...)
1/stˈʌbɚnli ɪnsˈɪst ˈɔn səmˈɛθɪŋθət |/
fixed phrase
insist strongly despite disagreement
to keep saying something is true or must happen
Examples
- She stubbornly insisted that she had paid already.
- He stubbornly insisted on driving, even though he was tired.
- They stubbornly insisted the plan would work.
stubbornly refuse (to do something)
1/stˈʌbɚnli ɹɪfjˈuz tə dˈu sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
refuse and not change mind
to keep saying no
Examples
- He stubbornly refused to sign the contract.
- She stubbornly refused to listen to any advice.
- They stubbornly refused to leave the building.