Word for always having to be right

Words can be on the tip of your tongue when trying to explain something. Trying to get the term for someone who always has to be right is good to have in your vocabulary should that situation ever occur for you! Let’s go over some of the best words.

What Do You Call Someone Who Always Has To Be Right?

Someone who always has to be right can be called a “dogmatist” There are plenty of other variations that can be used, like “adamant,” “unrelenting,” and “insistent.” All of these words are great to use if you want to include more options.

According to The Cambridge Dictionary, a “dogmatist” is “a person who believes too strongly that their personal opinions or beliefs are correct.” It’s the best word you can use to talk about someone who always has to be right.

In this article, we’ll look at the following words and how they can apply to the situation:

• Dogmatist
• Adamant
• Unrelenting
• Insistent
• Dictatorial
• Obdurate

Dogmatist

We’ll start with the most appropriate word to use in this list. It’s got the closest meaning to the words we’re looking for that refers to someone always having to be right.

A dogmatist is a person who believes in their personal opinions and beliefs. While this describes most people, a dogmatist will believe strongly that their opinion is correct, and it will be nearly impossible to convince them otherwise.

Generally, dogmatists enjoy arguing their points with other people until they’ve managed to sway them to their own beliefs. It’s not a desirable thing for someone to be, and many people dislike being friends with people who believe this firmly in things.

• You’re a dogmatist, and you can’t look past your own shortcomings!
• Why do you always insist that you’re right? You’re such a dogmatist.
• I can’t stand dogmatists. They think they know better than everyone else.
• Look, just let me explain this because I know what I’m doing. You’re acting like a dogmatist.

Adamant

Next, we’ll look at “adamant” and how we can use it as an adjective to describe someone. It’s not quite as harsh as “dogmatist,” but it still applies in very similar situations.

Someone who is adamant is impossible to persuade on whatever stance they take. That means they believe their opinion is correct, and you won’t change their minds.

According to The Cambridge Dictionary, “adamant” means “impossible to persuade, or unwilling to change an opinion or decision.”

We can sometimes use adamant in a more positive light, meaning that we admire someone who isn’t willing to accept any decision but their own. Still, in the context of this article, we’re mostly focusing on the negatives of someone thinking they’re always right.

• You’re adamant about that, aren’t you?
• I can’t get a word in edgeways; she’s so adamant about it!
• He’s really adamant, which I admire, but it’s also really frustrating.
• Are you adamant that you left your car keys with me? Because I don’t have them.

Unrelenting

Unrelenting is a term used to talk about someone who won’t back down from their point. Even if you’ve proved them wrong already, they won’t “relent” and will keep fighting until they eventually break you down.

According to The Cambridge Dictionary, “unrelenting” means “extremely determined; never becoming weaker or admitting defeat.”

There isn’t much you can say when you’re dealing with an unrelenting person. In their own mind, they’ve already won the argument; they just have to wear you down to get there.

• You’re unrelenting, and I’m exhausted. You win.
• This argument is unrelenting! I can’t keep going with you.
• He’s an unrelenting person who simply doesn’t take no for an answer!
• We’re unrelenting when it comes to things we know about.

Insistent

Insistent can be used to talk about someone who is firm on their stances. They often believe that something is true and “insist” on it being the case.

According to The Cambridge Dictionary, “insistent” means “firmly saying that something must be true or done.”

Like most of the other words on this list, it’s difficult to talk to somebody who is insistent that they’re right. It’ll often lead to an argument that you didn’t want. Simply agreeing with them might be your best course of action.

• You’re insistent that I stole something from you, but I don’t even remember the last time I saw you!
• He’s insistent that we go out; I’ll give him that.
• I wouldn’t say that being insistent is one of your better qualities.
• They’re insistent that it was us who did it, but we swear we didn’t.

Dictatorial

Calling someone dictatorial is a harsh term. It refers to the state of dictatorships, which is a state of government that give orders over their citizens with very little wiggle room.

According to The Cambridge Dictionary, “dictatorial” means “liking to give orders.”

Calling someone dictatorial means that they’re happy to give you orders no matter what. While this meaning doesn’t directly relate to always being right, one of the qualities of a dictator is believing that what they do is just and right in every way, and no one can tell them otherwise.

• You’re too dictatorial to talk to in a positive tone.
• I can’t deal with these dictatorial teachers at this school.
• I work for a dictatorial boss, and I can’t stand him!
• I’ve been called dictatorial because of what I believe in.

Obdurate

Finally, we can use “obdurate” in a similar way to “unrelenting.” It means that someone is determined to do something in a particular way and not change, even if someone desperately tells them that they need to.

According to The Cambridge Dictionary, “obdurate” means “extremely determined to act in a particular way and not to change despite what anyone else says.”

You can be obdurate in both positive and negative ways. In this context, we’re looking at it as someone who always has to be right, which is always a negative connotation.

• You’re such an obdurate mess. I can’t deal with you.
• You’re obdurate, and you need to change.
• We’re all a little obdurate when it comes to the things we care about.
• Why does she have to be so obdurate about all of this?

Self-righteous is a word for someone who thinks they are always right. Stubborn is the most common word for somebody who refuses to change their opinion about something.

This article describes some of the most accurate words to describe someone who thinks they are always right, plus reasons why people act this way and how to handle the situation.

Words to describe someone who thinks they’re always right

• Self Righteous – someone who believes they are completely correct or morally superior
• Stubborn – someone who will not change their opinion
• Assertive – someone who has a forceful or confident personality
• Dictatorial – someone who presents themselves in an autocratic manner
• Adamant – someone who refuses to change their mind or be persuaded
• Opinionated – someone who expresses conceited assertiveness
• Insistent – someone who demands in a prolonged way
• Peremptory – someone who is not open to challenge or appeal
• Imperious – someone who is arrogant or domineering
• Authoritarian – someone who favors personal freedom at the expense of strict obedience
• Emphatic – someone who expresses their opinion forcibly
• Uncompromising – someone who is unwilling to make concessions for others

Why do some people think they’re always right?

People could present themselves in a self-righteous manner to compensate for something. They could be struggling with low self-esteem that they want to hide from the public. For others, the reason for their egotistic personality may stem from a fragile ego. If they feel that their image has been dented, they make themselves appear bigger or smarter as a coping mechanism.

Another cause of self-righteousness is a personality disorder, such as Narcissistic Personality Disorder. People who suffer from this illness tend to feel that their opinions, ethics, or views are always correct. Generally, they won’t make an attempt to listen or understand the views of another person.

How to handle people who think they’re always right

Stay calm 

The most important thing is to not react in any untoward way. It can be frustrating dealing with people like this, especially if you know that they are in the wrong. However, arguing their point will only escalate the situation. If possible, try and get the person to reflect on their opinions so that they digest them themselves.

Find common ground

For the most part, we can choose the people we are associated with, but not always. If you do happen to come across a particularly self-righteous person, often you can just walk away. But if this person is your boss, a close family member, or a partner, it becomes much more difficult to avoid. You may not be able to change the person’s ways, but ensure that there is mutual respect and understanding in the relationship.

Be understanding

Lastly, understand that generally this person is not trying to be vindictive, but rather their self-righteousness stems from a place of self-doubt.