18
stubborn(adjective, characteristic, quality, attitude, informal)
13
obstinate(adjective, cross, negative, hostile, inflexible)
9
contrary(adjective, support, attitude, cross, different)
8
averse(adjective, unwilling, uncooperative)
8
perverse(adjective, support, tough, firm, attitude)
8
uncooperative(adjective, contrary, unwilling)
8
wayward(adjective, support, attitude, negative, hostile)
7
business-minded
7
loath(adjective, unwilling, uncooperative)
7
refractory(adjective, tough, firm, negative, hostile)
7
reluctant(adjective, unwilling, uncooperative)
6
disinclined(adjective, contrary, unwilling)
6
froward(adjective, support, attitude, cross, negative)
6
hesitant(adjective, contrary, unwilling, uncooperative)
6
intractable(adjective, tough, firm, negative, hostile)
6
restive(adjective, negative, nervous, hostile, different)
5
inflexible(adjective, tough, firm, unreasonable, obstinate)
5
mulish(tough, firm, unreasonable, grim, inflexible)
5
ornery(adjective, support, tough, firm, attitude)
5
unruly(adjective, negative, hostile, different, adverse)
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APASmart Define. (2015). balky thesaurus. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/balky/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2015. "balky thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/balky/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 20, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2015, balky thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 20 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/balky/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "balky thesaurus" 13 April 2015. Web. 20 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/balky/thesaurus/synonyms>