strong-willed

USAGE SUMMARY

"strong-willed" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who is determined and resolute in their decisions or actions. Example: She is a strong-willed individual who never backs down from a challenge. Alternative expressions include "determined" and "headstrong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 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

"So yes, I am strong-willed.

The New York Times - Arts

She was very independent and strong-willed.

The New York Times

It's just a very strong-willed group".

The New York Times - Sports

Ms. Mutter is serious and strong-willed.

The New York Times - Arts

"Someone as strong-willed as Harvey?

The New York Times

She was strong-willed, bold and spirited.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context's emotional tone; choose "strong-willed" for a character's admirable persistence and "stubborn" if the trait is causing unnecessary conflict.

Common error

A frequent mistake is writing 'strong willed' without the hyphen. While some modern styles are relaxing rules on hyphens, the standard practice in formal writing remains to include it to prevent readers from momentarily misinterpreting 'strong' as a separate adjective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strong-willed" acts as a compound adjective. According to Ludwig AI and the associated examples, it is primarily used to modify nouns (attributive use) or as a subject complement (predicative use) to define a person's temperament. It follows standard English morphological rules for creating adjectives from a 'noun + past participle' or 'adjective + noun-ed' structure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "strong-willed" is a robust and versatile compound adjective used to describe individuals with a firm, independent spirit. Ludwig AI analysis shows a high density of usage in top-tier journalistic sources, indicating its reliability and standard grammatical status. While it shares semantic space with terms like "determined" or "resolute", it uniquely captures an inherent personality trait rather than just a temporary state of mind. Always remember to use the hyphen when it precedes a noun to ensure professional-grade clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determined

Focuses more on the intent to achieve a specific goal rather than a general personality trait

strong-minded

Suggests intellectual independence and the ability to think for oneself

resolute

Implies a firmer, often more formal level of commitment to a decision

tenacious

Emphasizes the quality of 'holding on' and not giving up, often in the face of adversity

headstrong

Carries a more impulsive or reckless connotation compared to the persistence of the main query

stubborn

Often used negatively to suggest an unreasonable refusal to change one's mind

purposeful

Highlights that actions are driven by a clear sense of aim or meaning

unwavering

Describes a steady state of being that does not shake or diminish

persistent

Focuses on the repetitive nature of the effort over a period of time

dogged

Suggests a grim or particularly hardworking persistence

FAQs

What is the difference between "strong-willed" and stubborn?

While both terms describe persistence, "strong-willed" is often viewed as a positive or neutral trait of inner strength, whereas "stubborn" typically implies a negative refusal to change even when it would be beneficial.

How do I use "strong-willed" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a person's character, such as: 'She is a "strong-willed" leader who handles pressure well.' Note the hyphen when it comes before the noun.

Can I use "determined" instead of "strong-willed"?

Yes, "determined" is an excellent alternative, though it usually refers to a specific objective rather than an inherent personality type.

Is "strong-willed" a formal word?

It is a neutral term suitable for all registers. It appears frequently in prestigious publications like "The New York Times" and academic contexts, as well as in daily conversation.