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
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Example Sentences
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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
The collapse of 2023 was partly rooted in offensive obstinacy, stagnation and decline.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 23 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
Shai Tubali, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025
The left’s obstinacy may carry a heavy political price.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
The collapse of 2023 was partly rooted in offensive obstinacy, stagnation and decline.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 23 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
Noun
-
There is genius in Tomlin’s stubbornness.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The Dilbert principle — traced back to a quote in a 1995 strip — posited that managers and higher-ups are actually successful morons whose stubbornness is confused for real leadership qualities.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Rye and apple brandy are fast friends—the apple brandy adding an autumnal echo to rye’s grainy persistence.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Passion and persistence powered the effort.—
Gary Drenik,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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
Noun
-
Afterward, Rubio apparently described his intransigence to Trump, and the summit was quickly cancelled.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
-
But this outcome is more the product of Putin’s intransigence than European diplomacy.—
Matthias Matthijs,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
China has gained, not suffered, from this obduracy.—
JONATHAN A. CZIN,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Nov. 2025
-
Related: ‘Neglected diseases’ are anything but neglected by the billion-plus people living with them One possible reason for this obduracy is that noma begins as a dental disease, and dental diseases have long been underappreciated global health concerns.—
John Button,
STAT,
16 Dec. 2023
Noun
-
The orphan’s predicament is as much a matter of willfulness as of survival—inseparable, as in the works of Charles Dickens, from a dream of being somehow rescued by the idea of an adult world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Nov. 2025
-
While this change reduces the explicit admission of willfulness, a narrative is still required.—
Virginia La Torre Jeker,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Yet even Smith’s dismissal doesn’t lead to the quick finale most are expecting, with Brydon Carse and Will Jacks showing the doggedness and determination that England have lacked so often in the series.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
21 Dec. 2025
-
Netflix's latest crime drama is resonant and relentless, offering audiences a sweaty, anxious look at doggedness and sacrifice in the face of a cruel, indifferent economy.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Trump is right to place it at the center of America’s Arctic strategy, and Washington should have the resolve to follow through.—
Paul McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Regina tightened the belt of her robe, as if to emphasize her sudden resolve.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obstinacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstinacy. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
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