wrong-headed

A stubborn student clings to a wrong-headed idea during a group discussion.

Definition

Adjective:
- Stubbornly mistaken: "wrong-headed" describes a person or idea that is persistently or obstinately in error, often due to flawed reasoning or a refusal to consider alternative perspectives.
- Perverse or misguided: It can also refer to actions or policies that are contrary to common sense or sound judgment, often with a connotation of moral or intellectual stubbornness.

Usage Examples

Advanced Usage

"wrong-headed" as a modifier for abstract nouns: It often modifies nouns like "policy," "thinking," "attitude," or "decision" to emphasize a fundamental flaw in logic or ethics.
- The government’s wrong-headed economic policy led to widespread inflation. (The policy was based on flawed reasoning.)
In literary or formal contexts: It can be used to critique a character’s moral or intellectual stubbornness.
- The protagonist’s wrong-headed pride prevented him from seeking help. (His pride was both mistaken and stubborn.)

Variants and Related Words

Wrong-headedness (noun): the quality or state of being wrong-headed.
- His wrong-headedness frustrated all attempts at compromise. (His stubborn mistakenness blocked progress.)
Wrong-headedly (adverb): in a wrong-headed manner.
- She wrong-headedly insisted on following the failed plan. (She acted stubbornly in error.)

Synonyms

Misguided: having or showing incorrect judgment or direction.
Obstinate: stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or course of action.
Perverse: deliberately deviating from what is considered reasonable or acceptable.
Erroneous: containing or based on error; incorrect.

Related Idioms

"To be in the wrong": to be mistaken or at fault.
- He was in the wrong, but he refused to apologize. (He was mistaken or blameworthy.)
"To have one’s head in the sand": to ignore reality or refuse to face facts (similar to being wrong-headed).
- She has her head in the sand about the financial crisis. (She stubbornly ignores the truth.)