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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hardheaded
Over his lifetime, Aron was a hardheaded defender of liberal values in the face of fascist and totalitarian ideological challengers.
—
Raymond Aron, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024
Meryl is a hardheaded Candide, a sharp-eyed Don Quixote.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 15 Nov. 2023
For the sake of both regional stability and long-term U.S. security, Washington needs to sustain a hardheaded, clear-eyed empathy for the interests of the Russians as well as of the Ukrainians and other nationalities.
—Frank Costigliola, Foreign Affairs, 27 Jan. 2023
But behind the display of friendship was a backdrop of hardheaded geopolitics.
—Anton Troianovski, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2023
See all Example Sentences for hardheaded 
Raymond Aron, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024
Meryl is a hardheaded Candide, a sharp-eyed Don Quixote.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 15 Nov. 2023
For the sake of both regional stability and long-term U.S. security, Washington needs to sustain a hardheaded, clear-eyed empathy for the interests of the Russians as well as of the Ukrainians and other nationalities.
—Frank Costigliola, Foreign Affairs, 27 Jan. 2023
But behind the display of friendship was a backdrop of hardheaded geopolitics.
—Anton Troianovski, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2023
See all Example Sentences for hardheaded
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hardheaded
Adjective
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But a good coach, a lot of good ideas, smart, good leadership.—
Charlotte Carroll,
The Athletic,
29 Jan. 2025
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Despite it being clearly established that Ariel is much smarter than she’s given credit for, her first impulse when things are at their worst is to run to the second floor of a house and trap herself in a bathroom.—
Chase Hutchinson,
IndieWire,
28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The stubborn machine has won, and politicians are, for the most part, just fodder, which means that every politician who has to stand in front of a camera after a tragedy turns into another battle site in an endless culture war.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
The New Yorker,
16 Jan. 2025
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The bigger question is what happens if the economy, and in particular the labor market, weakens while inflation remains stubborn.—
Ben Casselman,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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After late goals and comebacks carried them to the 2018-19 crown, the 2020-21 season came with a more pragmatic approach.—
Beren Cross,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
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In a notable contrast to the quiet reign of predecessor Greg Barclay, a pragmatic New Zealander who flew under the radar, Shah relishes being front and center.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Caps were shrewd sellers, as The Athletic's Shayna Goldman recently wrote about, Penguins were buyers.—
Rob Rossi,
The Athletic,
18 Jan. 2025
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Growing up in tension, fearing a parent’s volatility, can leave a young person with painful but shrewd premonitions about possible danger and with acute impulses to protection.—
Mikal Gilmore,
Rolling Stone,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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On the other hand, the group is adamant that its FPV drones are wholly homegrown.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
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David Poole is adamant that the sales team is always upfront about the risks as well as upsides of investing.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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While Dortmund retain a reputation as astute talent-spotters able to generate vast profits by identifying outstanding potential, there are few players at the club now — English winger Jamie Gittens aside — who belong in that category.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
The Athletic,
21 Jan. 2025
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The Franklin Effect: Turning Critics Into Allies One of Franklin’s most astute political strategies was his ability to turn rivals into allies.—
Michael Sheldrick,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Following the previous tip, start the meeting by reminding everyone about the agenda and expectations—with the latter establishing the realistic aim of achieving a specific outcome.—
Dr. Eric George,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
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To have reactions be realistic when a gun's going off right here [hand motions by his head].—
Stacy Lambe,
People.com,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The sleek style is a practical swap for jeans that instantly dress up your outfit.—
Nicol Natale,
People.com,
27 Jan. 2025
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By all indications, the 119th Congress needs both practical guidance and a moral compass.—
John T. Shaw,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near hardheaded
Cite this Entry
“Hardheaded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hardheaded. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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