Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Extremely or irrationally stubborn and intractable. synonym: obstinate.
  • adjective Resembling a mule.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Like a mule; having the characteristics of a mule; sullen; stubborn; also, of a hybrid character.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Like a mule; sullen; stubborn.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Characteristic of a mule; stubborn, obstinate, or intractable

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective unreasonably rigid in the face of argument or entreaty or attack

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Lady Elizabeth stood her ground, her expression mulish as she met his gaze.

    Shameless KAREN ROBARDS 2010

  • Lady Elizabeth stood her ground, her expression mulish as she met his gaze.

    Shameless KAREN ROBARDS 2010

  • A kind of mulish huffiness in his expression made him look ridiculous and unlikeable.

    The Nursing Home Murder Marsh, Ngaio, 1899-1982 1963

  • Wilkins was "mulish" at times, and he had a reserve.

    Marion's Faith. Charles King 1888

  • She was a round-bowed contrivance, with a spring aft which gave a kind of mulish, kick-up look to the run of her.

    The Honour of the Flag 1877

  • The great length of their ears gives to their heads something of a "mulish" look -- hence they are often known among the trappers by the name of "mule deer."

    The Hunters' Feast Conversations Around the Camp Fire Mayne Reid 1850

  • I know I can trust you with the sloop, even if she is kind of mulish at times. "

    The Young Bridge-Tender or, Ralph Nelson's Upward Struggle Edward Stratemeyer 1896

  • In one of the last glimpses we have of Nellie in the diary, she is standing “by the drawing-room door in the full light, white & pink, with her funny rather foolish mulish face.”

    Imperfect Union 2009

  • Having the placeholders sitting there made me much more relaxed about this mulish beast of a post.

    First Draft Secrets: Five Simple Steps | Write to Done 2009

  • Once again, Jane found herself confronted by a mulish Japanese commander who refused to release his prisoner without the consent of the British authorities.

    A Covert Affair Jennet Conant 2011

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