obstinacy

noun

ˈäb-stə-nə-sē How to pronounce obstinacy (audio)
Definition of obstinacynext
as in stubbornness
a steadfast adherence to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion the mindless obstinacy of those people who continue to insist that the earth is flat

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of obstinacy For him, obstinacy was far worse than correction. — Shai Tubali, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025 The left’s obstinacy may carry a heavy political price. — Editorial, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025 Our experiences were branded on our souls, broadening our perspective of the world and arming us with the obstinacy and mettle to pursue a meaningful life. — Jill Tucker, San Francisco Chronicle, 16 July 2025 This seemed to me to stem not from carelessness or spite but obstinacy. — Literary Hub, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for obstinacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstinacy
  1. stubbornness
  2. persistence
  3. persistency
  4. intransigence
  5. obduracy
  6. willfulness
  7. doggedness
  8. resolve
Noun
  • Penelope is Odysseus’ equal, in cunning, in stubbornness, in wiles.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026
  • The stubbornness that makes such an elite golfer doesn’t accept that.
    — Brody Miller, New York Times, 14 July 2026
Definition of stubbornness
Noun
  • Recognition should acknowledge not only outcomes but also the discipline, persistence and relationship-building that led to them.
    — Karen Cochran, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • Therefore, RedHook includes several persistence methods designed to keep Android from shutting it down.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of persistence
Noun
  • The Home Service Insurance segment experienced a decline in premiums, attributed to strategic actions to improve sales quality and persistency, as well as economic pressures such as inflation.
    — Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The tannins are well structured yet soft and the wine has great persistency in the finish.
    — Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 2 May 2023
Definition of persistency
Noun
  • Fatigue with the stagnation inherent in contemporary democratic institutions is among the key factors that make the promise to break through intransigence by autocratic leaders attractive to a plurality of voters.
    — Wendell Wallach, Hartford Courant, 25 June 2026
  • Instead, the courts are dealing with intransigence from the city.
    — The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 13 May 2026
Definition of intransigence
Noun
  • Perhaps the greatest testament to Morocco’s obduracy came late in normal time, when Rodri — a central midfielder being deployed as a central defender — strode forward and shot, more in hope than in expectation, from 35 yards.
    — Rory Smith, New York Times, 6 Dec. 2022
  • But a year later, more than two dozen of them remain stuck in Afghanistan, stalled by bureaucratic wrangling, the vagaries of international diplomacy and the obduracy of the Taliban government.
    — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2022
Definition of obduracy
Noun
  • Those leaders who ignore or flout the law aren’t merely unethical but fatally arrogant, putting their childish willfulness over the wisdom of generations.
    — David Brooks, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Though the Durutti Column had been a disaster, Wilson was fascinated by the guitarist, who admired punk’s willfulness even though his own musical taste tended toward jazz, blues, and the classical tradition.
    — Brad Shoup, Pitchfork, 24 Jan. 2026
Definition of willfulness
Noun
  • The Afghan Taliban and the Iraqi insurgency beat the United States through roadside bombs and sheer doggedness.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • Her doggedness, maybe her righteousness too, a fierce myopic focus and will, and a crazy confidence that in the end, both have nothing to lose.
    — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 15 June 2026
Definition of doggedness
Noun
  • There are two key metrics limiting American resolve and violence.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • The problem is not technical alone; the business has not agreed on who owns the definition or resolves conflicts.
    — Robert Kramer, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of resolve

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obstinacy
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Cite this Entry

“Obstinacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstinacy. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of obstinacy for Spanish Speakers

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