[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/stubbornness/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [S](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/s/) / stubbornness # stubbornness noun (stubbornness — uncountable) «stubbornness» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. Stubbornness is refusing to change your mind or do what others want, even when there are good reasons. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stubbornness/#m1) 2. Stubbornness can also be a good thing, meaning determination: not giving up when things are hard. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stubbornness/#m2) 3. Stubbornness of a thing means it is hard to move, remove or fix: the stubbornness of a stain. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stubbornness/#m3) ### In the lessons In stories and PSHE it is a character trait, sometimes a fault and sometimes a strength. In everyday talk parents describe toddlers' stubbornness. Phrases: "out of stubbornness", "sheer stubbornness", "stubbornness of a mule" (mules are thought of as stubborn). ### Examples - His stubbornness stopped him from saying sorry. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stubbornness/#x1) - Out of stubbornness, she would not wear a coat. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stubbornness/#x2) - Her stubbornness helped her finish the marathon. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stubbornness/#x3) - The toddler's stubbornness made bedtime hard. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stubbornness/#x4) - Mules are famous for their stubbornness. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stubbornness/#x5) - Sheer stubbornness kept the team going in the rain. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stubbornness/#x6) - The stubbornness of the stain meant we had to scrub it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stubbornness/#x7) - It is better to yield than to come to misfortune through stubbornness. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stubbornness/#x8) ### Note Spelling trap: two n's in the middle (stubborn + ness). Uncountable. Adjective: stubborn; adverb: stubbornly. Close words: obstinacy (formal), pigheadedness (informal), determination (positive). ## In Jewish tradition Stubbornness is refusing to listen or change. The prophets and psalms speak of "the stubbornness of the heart," and Samuel says it is as bad as idolatry. **Interpretation.** Moses prays for Israel after the golden calf, asking God to remember the patriarchs rather than the people's faults. Israel is often called "stiff-necked" in the Torah. Samuel's saying is read as teaching that refusing to obey God is as serious as serving idols, and Jeremiah and the Psalms see it as a main cause of exile. ### Examples - Remember Thy servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; look not unto the stubbornness of this people, nor to their wickedness, nor to their sin; (Torah DEU.9.27, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/stubbornness/#x1) - For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim. (Prophets 1SA.15.23, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/stubbornness/#x2) - So I let them go after the stubbornness of their heart, that they might walk in their own counsels. (Writings PSA.81.13, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/stubbornness/#x3) - But have walked after the stubbornness of their own heart, and after the Baalim, which their fathers taught them. (Prophets JER.9.13, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/stubbornness/#x4) ### Note Spelling trap: two n's in the middle (stubborn + ness). Uncountable. Adjective: stubborn; adverb: stubbornly. Close words: obstinacy (formal), pigheadedness (informal), determination (positive). ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «stubbornness» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/stubbornness/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«stubbornness» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/stubbornness.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «stubbornness» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/stubbornness/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«stubbornness» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/stubbornness.html) on Mova free.