Definition of ADAMANT

Choose the Right Synonym for adamant

Adjective

inflexible, obdurate, adamant mean unwilling to alter a predetermined course or purpose. inflexible implies rigid adherence or even slavish conformity to principle. inflexible in their demands obdurate stresses hardness of heart and insensitivity to appeals for mercy or the influence of divine grace. obdurate in his refusal to grant clemency adamant implies utter immovability in the face of all temptation or entreaty. adamant that the work should continue

The Meaning and History of Adamant

A person who is adamant about something has formed an opinion or taken a position that is not going to change because the person is determined to keep that opinion or position. If you're adamant about a decision you've made, no one can convince you that it was a mistake. If you're adamant that something be done (or not be done), you insist that it be (or not be) so.

The adjective dates to the early 1800s but it comes from a much older—and now much less common—noun. An adamant is an imaginary stone of impenetrable hardness. Historically, the word applied to actual stones (and other substances) believed to be impenetrable; in the 17th century the word was used as a synonym of diamond. The noun adamant comes from a Latin word meaning "material of extreme hardness, diamond."

One side note: however adamant the Adams in your life tend to be, the name Adam is not related etymologically to the word adamant. Adam comes from the Hebrew word 'āḏām, meaning "human being."

Examples of adamant in a Sentence

Adjective

I am keen not to share my genetic code with my insurer, I am keen that my doctor should know it and use it, but I am adamant to the point of fanaticism that it is my decision. — Matt Ridley, Genome, 1999 Arrive to find child physically intact but … adamant that he will not remain another minute in Ski Bunny program. Despite their 'professionalism,' staff members eagerly concur. — Christopher Buckley, New Yorker, 10 Mar. 1997 In the years following the First World War, the debts of our wartime allies and others came to be considered a serious burden on international commerce and well-being. Calvin Coolidge was adamant on repayment. — John Kenneth Galbraith, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 1986 We've tried to talk him into coming with us, but he's adamant about staying here. remained adamant about getting the actor's autograph even after he had disappeared backstage

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Broberg is adamant that the blame for her abuse remains on Berchtold, the abuser. — Laura Barcella, PEOPLE.com, "Abducted in Plain Sight Victim Jan Broberg Says Viewers Unfairly Blame Her Parents," 7 June 2019 But there was one condition that McAulay was adamant about: The members had to be women. — Dallas News, "Why two Dallas women started a female-only book club about diversity," 5 June 2019 Plus, Little People, Big World was filming, and the crew was adamant about getting their wedding day on camera for the show. — Michelle Manetti, Good Housekeeping, "5 Times Jeremy and Audrey Roloff's Book 'A Love Letter Life' Got Extremely Real," 12 Apr. 2019 And this is the reason why Congress and why the senators have been so adamant for calling a special counsel to investigate this. — Fox News, "Gorka on New Mexico compound case 'travesty'," 15 Aug. 2018 Blonder is adamant that these are just useful tips, colored by his personal preferences, and that there is plenty of room for adaptation if your tastes happen to differ. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "The secret to successful BBQ pork butt and brisket is science," 1 Sep. 2018 And although the Patriots might have lost this year’s Super Bowl to the Eagles, one apparent New England fan seemed adamant to remind spectators of the team’s epic comeback the year before. — Jaclyn Reiss, BostonGlobe.com, "A look at the signs along the 2018 Boston Marathon route," 16 Apr. 2018 But the owners were adamant that Silver Dollar City not become a generic amusement park. — Arthur Levine, USA TODAY, "Silver Dollar City theme park offers old-fashioned fun and thrills," 25 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'adamant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for adamant

Adjective

Noun

Middle English, "diamond, material of extreme hardness, lodestone," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin adamant-, adamās "material of extreme hardness, diamond," borrowed from Greek adamant-, adámas, probably a borrowing from a substratal or Near Eastern source, conformed by folk etymology to a- a- entry 2 and the stem of the verb dámnēmi "(I) tame, subdue, conquer"

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