GRE Words for Stubbornness and Defiance

These 12 GRE words all share the meaning of stubbornness and defiance. Studying them as one cluster is far more efficient than learning each in isolation, because the GRE tests words by how they relate to each other. Each entry below links to a full definition page with example sentences and memory hooks.

Why this cluster matters

On Sentence Equivalence you must choose two words that give the sentence the same meaning. That means the answer is almost always a synonym pair pulled from a cluster like this one. Watch the connotation tone on each word: a positive and a negative word rarely form a correct pair, even when their definitions look close.

The 12 words

adamantadjectiveNeutral tone

Refusing to be persuaded or to change one's mind; unyielding

doggedadjectivePositive tone

Having or showing tenacity and persistence

intransigentadjectiveNegative tone

Unwilling or refusing to change one's views or agree; uncompromising

mulishadjectiveNegative tone

Resembling or characteristic of a mule; stubborn

obdurateadjectiveNegative tone

Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action

obstinateadjectiveNegative tone

Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action

pertinaciousadjectivePositive tone

Holding firmly to an opinion or course of action; persistent

pigheadedadjectiveNegative tone

Stupidly obstinate

recalcitrantadjectiveNegative tone

Having an obstinately uncooperative attitude

refractoryadjectiveNegative tone

Stubborn or unmanageable; resistant to treatment

tenaciousadjectivePositive tone

Tending to keep a firm hold; persistent and determined

unyieldingadjectiveNeutral tone

Not giving way to pressure; firm and resolute

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