deepseated

Deepseated is an English adjective used to describe beliefs, attitudes, or emotions that are firmly established and resistant to change. It implies that something is rooted at a fundamental level, often due to long-standing personal or social influences.

In writing, the term is usually hyphenated as deep-seated, though some dictionaries show the single-word form deepseated; hyphenation remains preferred in formal contexts to mark the compound nature.

Common contexts include politics, psychology, and sociology, with phrases such as deep-seated prejudice, deep-seated mistrust, or deep-seated cultural norms. It is also used to describe problems or conflicts that persist for years, beyond immediate circumstances.

Origin and related terms: the word uses seated as a metaphor for something that has taken root and remains fixed. Related adjectives include ingrained, entrenched, deeply rooted, and long-standing.