Synonyms of obstinate

obstinate

adjective

ˈäb-stə-nət 

as in stubborn

sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion

the child was obstinate about wanting that specific toy, despite being offered several others

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stubborn
• adamant
• steadfast
• hardened
• wilful
• obdurate
• implacable
• intransigent
• willful
• unbending
• pertinacious
• bullheaded
• headstrong
• opinionated
• unyielding
• uncompromising
• mulish
• obsessive
• unrelenting
• inflexible
• immovable
• hardheaded
• pigheaded
• persistent
• dogged
• adamantine
• pat
• hard
• ossified
• perverse
• determined
• strict
• self-willed
• stiff-necked
• hard-nosed
• relentless
• inconvincible
• self-opinionated
• tenacious
• iron
• defiant
• stern
• resolved
• unflinching
• severe
• inexorable
• wayward
• rigid
• deaf to reason
• wrongheaded
• contumacious
• cantankerous
• uncooperative
• disobedient
• hidebound
• recalcitrant
• narrow-minded
• intractable
• stouthearted
• refractory
• insubordinate
• hard-line
• single-minded
• unruly
• indomitable
• mutinous
• unmanageable
• firm
• unconquerable
• contrary
• bloody-minded
• inveterate
• hard-shell
• invincible
• cussed
• anal-retentive
• ungovernable
• unregenerate
• froward
• insurgent
• hard-shelled
• demanding
• hell-bent
• set
• confirmed
• exacting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• acquiescent
• agreeable
• complying
• flexible
• amenable
• pliable
• compliant
• pliant
• obedient
• docile
• yielding
• submissive
• tractable
• accepting
• willing
• responsive
• receptive
• reasonable
• relenting
• placable
• temperate
• manageable
• persuadable
• slavish
• subservient
• governable

Synonym Chooser

How is the word obstinate distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of obstinate are dogged, mulish, pertinacious, and stubborn. While all these words mean "fixed and unyielding in course or purpose," obstinate implies usually an unreasonable persistence.

an obstinate proponent of conspiracy theories

When could dogged be used to replace obstinate?

The words dogged and obstinate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dogged suggests an admirable often tenacious and unwavering persistence.

pursued the story with dogged perseverance

When is mulish a more appropriate choice than obstinate?

The synonyms mulish and obstinate are sometimes interchangeable, but mulish implies a thoroughly unreasonable obstinacy.

a mulish determination to have his own way

In what contexts can pertinacious take the place of obstinate?

In some situations, the words pertinacious and obstinate are roughly equivalent. However, pertinacious suggests an annoying or irksome persistence.

a pertinacious salesclerk refusing to take no for an answer

When would stubborn be a good substitute for obstinate?

The meanings of stubborn and obstinate largely overlap; however, stubborn implies sturdiness in resisting change which may or may not be admirable.

a person too stubborn to admit error

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of obstinate

All that being said, the controls can still feel frustratingly obstinate at times, and get in the way of the overall experience. —Hayes Madsen, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2025

Trump has repeatedly voiced his frustration with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing him of litigating the negotiations in the press and of being obstinate for drawing a red line by declaring Ukraine would not accept a deal that recognizes Russia’s occupation of Crimea. —Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 24 Apr. 2025

Glide your steam mop across obstinate stains or spills and eradicate the mess along with the bacteria. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025

Still, this is a strong, young group with one large elephant in the room - who will play third base, the infinitely superior defender and more agreeable team player Bregman or the better hitter and more obstinate Rafael Devers? —Tony Blengino, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025

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