Synonym Chooser

How is the word mulish distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of mulish are dogged, obstinate, pertinacious, and stubborn. While all these words mean "fixed and unyielding in course or purpose," mulish implies a thoroughly unreasonable obstinacy.

a mulish determination to have his own way

When could dogged be used to replace mulish?

While the synonyms dogged and mulish are close in meaning, dogged suggests an admirable often tenacious and unwavering persistence.

pursued the story with dogged perseverance

Where would obstinate be a reasonable alternative to mulish?

In some situations, the words obstinate and mulish are roughly equivalent. However, obstinate implies usually an unreasonable persistence.

an obstinate proponent of conspiracy theories

When is it sensible to use pertinacious instead of mulish?

The words pertinacious and mulish can be used in similar contexts, but pertinacious suggests an annoying or irksome persistence.

a pertinacious salesclerk refusing to take no for an answer

When might stubborn be a better fit than mulish?

The meanings of stubborn and mulish largely overlap; however, stubborn implies sturdiness in resisting change which may or may not be admirable.

a person too stubborn to admit error

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mulish View Photos For those who have thus far been kept out of BMWs by an innate sense of fiscal responsibility (or a mulish loan officer), the biggest news here is the price: our 318is, as tested, cost a modest $21,985. William Jeanes, Car and Driver, 28 Apr. 2023 But his insistence—which is so adamant as to be mulish—that order is a good thing (even if enforced by a tyrant) if the alternative is anarchy (even in pursuit of a liberal democracy) will find few takers among those who aren’t admirers of Agamemnon or worshipers of Zeus. Tunku Varadarajan, WSJ, 13 Jan. 2023 Again, that is happening while the Biden administration makes U.S. energy production increasingly difficult, putting more upward pressure on prices in its mulish determination to appease the far Left. Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 7 Feb. 2022 His daughter, Anne (Olivia Colman), who comes to see him, is galled by the situation, but Anthony is mulish and unmoved. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2021 They are increasingly irritated by the Democrats’ mulish persistence in an anti-Trump impeachment gambit at the expense of dealing with pressing national problems. Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 22 June 2019 And still fashion week keeps its mulish course, a carousel spinning madly. Matthew Schneier, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2018 Only a supranational institution such as the EU has the heft and mulish determination to override national attempts to impose banana uniformity, vacuum-cleaner-motor wattage limits or standards for automobile safety systems. Joseph C. Sternberg, WSJ, 17 Aug. 2017 Although the Democrat who defeated him, Sheldon Whitehouse, is not considered unfriendly to the environment, Chafee's ouster has to please Sen. James Inhofe, the mulish Republican chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Wired News Report, WIRED, 8 Nov. 2006

Thesaurus Entries Near mulish

Cite this Entry

“Mulish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mulish. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

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