September 02, 2013
headstrong (adjective)
\HED-strawng\ Hear it!
What does it mean?
1 : not easily controlled : wanting one's own way2 : directed by uncontrollable will
How do you use it?
Claire was often scolded as a child for her headstrong ways, but these have developed into leadership qualities as she has grown older.
Are you a word wiz?

Which of one of these words do you think is a synonym of "headstrong"?

It's a good thing if you stubbornly held on to B. "Headstrong" suggests stubbornness and lack of patience with suggestions, advice, or control by others (as "a headstrong refusal to listen to experienced workers"), while "unruly" implies lack of self-control or control by others, plus bad behavior (as "a lamp broken by unruly children"). "Ungovernable," another synonym, indicates a loss of control or an inability to be controlled by oneself or others (as "flew into an ungovernable rage"), and "willful" describes a strong determination to have one's own way ("a willful disregard for the rights of others").
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