adamant

adjective

ad·a·mant | \ˈa-də-mənt,

-ˌmant\

Definition of adamant

(Entry 1 of 2)

: unshakable or insistent especially in maintaining a position or opinion : unyielding an adamant insistence on doing things his own way was adamant about making the change

adamant

noun

ad·a·mant | \ˈa-də-mənt,

-ˌmant\

Definition of adamant (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a stone (such as a diamond) formerly believed to be of impenetrable hardness

2 : an unbreakable or extremely hard substance "Trust not in your gold and silver, trust not in your high fortresses; for, though the walls were of iron, and the fortresses of adamant, the Most High shall put terror into your hearts and weakness into your councils …"— George Eliot

Other Words from adamant Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym The Meaning and History of Adamant More Example Sentences Learn More about adamant

Keep scrolling for more

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

Having won new national rights that state legislatures would not grant, the left is adamant that these judicially invented rights remain. — WSJ, "Government Overreach Politicized the Supreme Court," 13 Sep. 2018 But neither Kennedy nor Kavanaugh was adamant in his view that religion trumped regulation. — Richard Wolf, USA TODAY, "Will Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh deliver the change conservatives crave?," 10 July 2018 Chaperones were just as adamant in criticizing his medical treatment in their interviews with investigators. — Paul Pringle, latimes.com, "For years, a doctor was accused of bad behavior with young women. USC let him continue treating students," 15 May 2018 Responding to a complaint that alleged Trump used campaign funds to pay Daniels, Cohen was adamant in his denial. — Alex Shephard, New Republic, "Trump’s porn-star scandal is growing.," 14 Feb. 2018 Even more surprising: Emanuel is adamant that the project will require no taxpayer money. — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, "The Boring Company’s Chicago project seems awfully cheap for something so big," 14 June 2018 Somehow, still, after all of this, fans of the thread remained adamant that no wrong had been committed. — Taylor Lorenz, The Atlantic, "Unidentified Plane Bae Woman's Statement Confirms the Worst," 13 July 2018 Trump has remained adamant that Mueller won't find any evidence of collusion -- or at least nothing that could personally implicate Trump, sources said. — Evan Perez, CNN, "Hot Pockets, mismatched chairs and a critical mission: Inside year one of the Mueller investigation," 17 May 2018 Though member schools remain adamant against sweetening college athletes’ deals with a salary, resistance to them reaping the benefits of endorsements has declined dramatically. — Tim Sullivan, The Courier-Journal, "Rice's commission may want to take advantage of Skechers suing Adidas," 11 May 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

derivative of adamant entry 2

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"

Keep scrolling for more