strong willed

USAGE SUMMARY

"strong willed" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an adjective commonly used to describe a person who has a firm determination and the courage to persist in a course of action despite obstacles or opposition. Example sentence: He was a strong willed leader who never backed down from a challenge.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Beloff was a strong willed character.

The Guardian

She's very independent and strong: willed but kind.

Vice

So, translate that to a strong willed child!

Huffington Post

Educated, strong willed, cultured, independent, fiercely loyal, and wealthy.

Huffington Post

"Fun to be with, strong willed, strong physically.

Huffington Post

Have a strong willed confidence.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

She's very strong-willed.

The New York Times

She was very strong-willed".

The New Yorker

She is strong-willed.

The Guardian - Books

Strong-willed becomes stubborn.

The Guardian - Opinion

He's so strong-willed.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Choose this phrase to describe persistence as a character trait rather than a temporary state of mind.

Common error

Do not use "strong willed" when you actually mean 'stubborn' or 'obstinate' in a negative context. While "strong willed" is usually seen as a positive leadership trait, it can sound overly aggressive in delicate interpersonal scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strong willed" functions primarily as an adjective or a compound modifier used to characterize the internal fortitude and determination of a person. According to Ludwig AI, it is a valid construction in written English, frequently appearing in personality descriptions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academic

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "strong willed" is an effective and grammatically correct way to describe a person with firm determination. While it is classified as Uncommon in its unhyphenated form in the strict Ludwig data set, the variant strong-willed is extremely prevalent in professional journalism. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for written English. Writers should be mindful of the hyphenation rule: use a hyphen when the phrase precedes a noun and omit it when it follows a verb. Overall, it is a versatile term that balances positive connotations of grit with descriptive power.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strong-minded

Suggests intellectual independence and clarity of purpose rather than just persistence.

determined

A more common and slightly more formal way to describe focused intent.

resolute

Focuses on the unwavering nature of a decision or conviction.

tenacious

Emphasizes the ability to hold on or persist through extreme difficulty.

iron-willed

A more intense version of the phrase, implying almost unbreakable strength.

stubborn

Carries a more negative connotation of being unwilling to change despite good reasons.

unyielding

Highlights a refusal to give way to pressure or persuasion.

firm

A simpler, more moderate term for having a solid stance.

steadfast

Implies loyalty and consistency in purpose over time.

adamant

Usually refers to a specific refusal to change a current stance on an issue.

FAQs

Which is correct, strong willed or strong-willed?

Both are correct, but they are used differently depending on their position in the sentence. Use a hyphen in "strong-willed child" when it acts as a compound modifier. In other contexts, like 'she is strong willed', the hyphen is often omitted.

What is a more formal synonym for strong willed?

You can use more formal alternatives like "resolute", "determined", or "tenacious" depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.

How do you use strong willed in a professional sentence?

In a business context, you might say: 'She is a "strong-minded" leader who handles pressure well', or 'The team is "resolute" in achieving their quarterly goals'.

Is strong willed a positive or negative trait?

It is generally viewed as positive, implying grit and leadership. If you want to describe a negative refusal to change, you should use "stubborn" or "obstinate" instead.