Word for a smart and stubborn person?

Question

I'm trying to find a single adjective that would fit the best to the following person's trait:

One who thinks knows everything/best, and often doesn't listen to orders and instead completes some task his/her own way. This person, while intelligent, is right about 50% of the time, when doing things its own way.

So far I've thought of independent, idiosyncratic and stubborn, but these words don't imply the "knows everything/best" part of the trait.

please clarify: are you implying that the person 'thinks' they know or they really are? — user49727, Sep 02 '13 at 11:34
It sounds as though you are describing an intelligent but bungling know-it-all. — Paddy Landau, Sep 02 '13 at 16:43
possible duplicate of What would you call a person who doesn't want to learn anything new?. Or maybe An idiom to describe someone who thinks he/she is wiser than others — FumbleFingers, Sep 02 '13 at 22:27

score 3 · Answer 1 · answered Sep 02 '13 at 11:37

3

Obstinate, possibly recalcitrant?

answered Sep 02 '13 at 11:37

MrGroggle

69

Perhaps self-willed or strong-willed would be better suited for my purpose, but definitely good suggestions! – Howie Sep 02 '13 at 11:41
these words imply a no-matter-what kind of pig-headedness and are best avoided for describing accomplished knowledgeable but unbending characters. – user49727 Sep 02 '13 at 12:25

user49727 · Answer 2 · 2013-09-02T11:52:52.213

2

As I understand it the question refers to an uncompromising or self-determined individual.

edited Sep 02 '13 at 11:52

answered Sep 02 '13 at 11:39

user49727

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3
25
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score 2 · Answer 3 · answered Sep 02 '13 at 12:20

2

Do you like "pretentious" ?

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pretentious

"making usually unjustified or excessive claims (as of value or standing)"

answered Sep 02 '13 at 12:20

Pam

1,287

A person can be pretentious just by dressing a certian way. How would that fit this at all? – T.E.D. Sep 03 '13 at 13:40
"One who thinks knows everything/best", as described in the body of question, I usually call pretentious. (Certainly not necessarily smart nor stubborn, though.) – Pam Sep 03 '13 at 23:19
You should read that definition you linked a bit more carefully (or read this word a bit more in actual usage). Pretension is about (in the words of your link) importance, worth, or stature. In other words, social things. Not intelligence, or being right. Its more like "putting on airs", rather than "being a know-it-all". (I assure you, the irony of me sitting here trying to make a point about "know-it-alls" to several people is not lost. I'm going to go outside and re-evalulate my life now...) – T.E.D. Sep 04 '13 at 16:05

score 2 · Answer 4 · answered Sep 02 '13 at 21:24

2

You might consider imperious

marked by arrogant assurance : domineering

There is no implication of smart in the term, but your explanation (right only half of the time) seems to belie the intelligence aspect.

answered Sep 02 '13 at 21:24

bib

72,782

Not only does this leave out the smart, but it has an added implication of the person being (or percieving themsevles of being) in a position of power. Not appropirate for this usage at all. – T.E.D. Sep 03 '13 at 13:40

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Sep 03 '13 at 13:24

1

I think you want

headstrong: not easily restrained : impatient of control, advice, or suggestions

I like this because it emphasizes head, i.e. thinking.

answered Sep 03 '13 at 13:24

Jack Ryan

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1

That gets half of it, but doesn't imply anything about the intelligence of the person. – T.E.D. Sep 03 '13 at 13:38
My question is pretty hard to get right, but I do have to say that I love all the different answers! – Howie Sep 03 '13 at 18:53

Blessed Geek · Answer 6 · 2013-09-02T14:33:33.103

0

The traditional US term for it is smarty-pants.
The older term is Smart Aleck/Alec.

smarty-pants [ˈsmɑːtɪˌpænts], smarty-boots [ˈsmɑːtɪˌbuːts]
n
(functioning as singular) Informal a would-be clever person
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003

smart′ al `eck (or al`ec) (ˈæl ɪk)
n. Informal.
an obnoxiously conceited and impertinent person.
[1860–65, Amer.; generic use of Aleck, nickname for Alexander]
smart′-aleck•y, smart′-aleck, adj.

edited Sep 02 '13 at 14:33

answered Sep 02 '13 at 14:27

Blessed Geek

9,623

Disagree. That's a term for a completely different situation; when a person is getting technical unnessecarily. – T.E.D. Sep 03 '13 at 13:38
technical? Was there a requirement to be technical? – Blessed Geek Sep 03 '13 at 20:09
None whatsoever, hence my point. – T.E.D. Sep 03 '13 at 20:51

Word for a smart and stubborn person?

6 Answers6

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