Mulish
MYOO-lish
/ˈmjuːlɪʃ/
Resembling a mule by being unreasonably stubborn or inflexible.
Implies an irrational, irritable, or childish stubbornness, often accompanied by a sullen expression.
The story behind the word. Mules—a cross between a male donkey and a female horse—are famous for having a strong instinct for self-preservation. When forced past their limit, they stop and refuse to walk, giving rise to the animal metaphor.
Word relationships
- pigheaded: 'Pigheaded' emphasizes foolish stupidity in stubbornness; 'mulish' emphasizes passive refusal to budge.
- obstinate: 'Obstinate' is more formal and general, whereas 'mulish' evokes the vivid image of a stubborn donkey.
- amenable: Amenable implies being open and responsive to suggestion.
- cooperative: Cooperative means willing to work together effectively.
Commonly confused with
- Pigheaded: Mulish implies sullen refusal to move; pigheaded implies foolishly rushing forward with a bad idea.
Word family
- mulishly (adverb): in a mulish or sullenly stubborn manner
- mulishness (noun): the trait of being as stubborn as a mule
Collocations
- mulish streak
- mulish stubbornness
- mulish look
- mulish refusal
Idioms & expressions
- stubborn as a mule
- balk at something
Example sentences
- "With a mulish expression on her face, she sat on the floor and refused to put on her shoes." Family conflict
- "His mulish refusal to accept advice cost him thousands of dollars in legal fees." Character description
Memory hook
MUL-ish: Simple! Acting like a MULE that stands still on the path and refuses to take another step. Stubborn like a mule standing its ground.
When not to use
Avoid using in formal academic papers or legal documents; use 'obstinate' or 'intransigent' instead.
Fun facts
- Mules are actually not stubborn out of stupidity; animal behavioral scientists note that their refusal to move is usually an intelligent assessment of danger!
Related words
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