obstinacy

noun

ob·​sti·​na·​cy ˈäb-stə-nə-sē 

plural obstinacies

1

a

: the quality or state of being obstinate : stubbornness

She held to her own opinion with great obstinacy.

b

: the quality or state of being difficult to remedy, relieve, or subdue

the obstinacy of tuberculosis

2

: an instance of being obstinate

irritated by the senator's obstinacies

Synonyms of obstinacy

• stubbornness
• persistence
• persistency
• intransigence
• obduracy
• pertinacity
• pigheadedness
• willfulness
• doggedness
• resolve
• bullheadedness
• self-will
• determination

Examples of obstinacy in a Sentence

the mindless obstinacy of those people who continue to insist that the earth is flat

Recent Examples on the Web

The White House does not seem to have a workaround to Putin’s obstinacy, and Rubio told Hannity that all other parties seeking to end the conflict are hopeless. —Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 3 Dec. 2025

The gaps between Kyiv and Moscow remain too explicit, and their reasons for obstinacy too drenched in sacrifice, anxiety and blood. —Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 28 Nov. 2025

Of course, Nile can’t pick it up, and Aggie’s obstinacy once again bites her in the ass. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025

For him, obstinacy was far worse than correction. —Shai Tubali, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

obstinacy

noun

ob·​sti·​na·​cy ˈäb-stə-nə-sē 

: the quality or state of being obstinate

Medical Definition

obstinacy

noun

ob·​sti·​na·​cy ˈäb-stə-nə-sē 

plural obstinacies

: the quality or state of being obstinate

the obstinacy of tuberculosis