Pigheaded: meaning, definitions and examples

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pigheaded

 

[หˆpษชษกหŒhษ›dษชd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

stubborn

Having or showing a stubborn or unreasonably strong-willed determination.

Synonyms

headstrong, obstinate, stubborn, unyielding.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
pigheaded

Used to describe someone who refuses to change their mind or attitude despite clear flaws in their thinking. This term often carries a negative connotation.

  • He was so pigheaded that he wouldn't admit he made a mistake, even when it was obvious to everyone else.
stubborn

Commonly used to describe someone who is unwilling to change their mind or compromise. While often negative, it can also imply strong determination in certain contexts.

  • My dog is very stubborn and wonโ€™t listen when I call him.
  • Her stubborn determination to succeed inspired many.
obstinate

Indicates a strong-willed resistance to arguing or persuasion. Often used in a slightly negative context to highlight someone's refusal to change.

  • The children were obstinate about not cleaning their rooms, no matter how much their parents insisted.
  • His obstinate refusal to apologize strained relations with his colleagues.
headstrong

Describing someone who is determined to do things their own way, often ignoring advice or warnings. It can be both positive and negative depending on the context.

  • She's so headstrong that she pursued her dream job even though everyone else doubted her.
  • His headstrong nature often gets him into trouble with his teachers.
unyielding

Describes someone or something that is inflexibly firm and will not bend or change. It is often used to signal strong determination and can carry both positive and negative meanings.

  • The unyielding walls of the fortress stood strong against the siege.
  • Her unyielding principles sometimes make her difficult to work with.

Examples of usage

  • He's so pigheaded that he won't even consider a different point of view.
  • Her pigheaded refusal to compromise led to the project's failure.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The term 'pigheaded' dates back to the 17th century and combines 'pig' (often associated with stubbornness due to the animal's behavior) and 'headed' implying a fixed mindset.
  • Many languages have similar expressions; for instance, in French, one might say 'tรชtu comme une mule' (stubborn as a mule) to convey the same meaning.
  • The imagery of pigs being obstinate likely comes from their behavior when they refuse to move or comply.

Psychology

  • Stubbornness can be rooted in cognitive dissonance, where people feel discomfort from holding conflicting ideas and opt to cling to their original beliefs.
  • Studies suggest that stubborn individuals may have higher levels of self-esteem, leading them to resist changing their minds.
  • The term is often related to personality traits such as low openness to experience, indicating a preference for routine and resistance to change.

Culture

  • Pigheadedness is often portrayed in literature and media as a flaw, leading to humorous or disastrous results, making the character relatable to audiences.
  • In many cultures, stubbornness is sometimes romanticized; characters who refuse to give in are often depicted as strong or principled.
  • In American slang, being described as 'pigheaded' is not just about stubbornness, but often implies an element of foolishness in one's obstinacy.

Pop Culture

  • Television shows often depict 'pigheaded' characters, using humor to highlight their inability to see reason, such as in sitcoms where misunderstandings lead to comedic situations.
  • Fictional villains commonly exhibit pigheadedness, making stubbornness an effective storytelling tool to create conflict.
  • Pop songs sometimes use the term as a metaphor for a relationship dynamic, indicating one partner's refusal to compromise.

Literature

  • Classic literature often highlights pigheaded characters, like some protagonists in Shakespeare's plays who disregard wise counsel.
  • The phrase's imagery has inspired various authors to explore themes of stubbornness in their characters, illustrating its consequences.
  • Humor and stubbornness intertwine in modern novels, where pigheadedness leads to both hilarious and poignant moments in character development.

Translations

Translations of the word "pigheaded" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น obstinado

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคนเค เฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช eigensinnig

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ keras kepala

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัƒะฟะตั€ั‚ะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ uparty

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ้ ‘ๅ›บใช

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท tรชtu

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ cabezota

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท inatรงฤฑ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ณ ์ง‘ ์„ผ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุนู†ูŠุฏ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ tvrdohlavรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ tvrdohlavรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅ›บๆ‰ง็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ trmast

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ รพrjรณskur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ั‹ั€ัั‹า›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฏแƒ˜แƒฃแƒขแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ inadkar

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ cabezรณn