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

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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

Other people feel adamant that having their pets returned is an integral part of the mourning process. — Ace Ratcliff, SELF, "Pet Euthanasia at Home: 6 Ways to Make Putting Down Your Pet Easier on Them—and You," 25 Oct. 2018 Although Zorc is adamant that Sokratis' move to Arsenal is still far from completion, Borussia Dortmund have already lined up a replacement for the veteran defender. — SI.com, "Borussia Dortmund Chief Claims Sokratis' Arsenal Move Is Not 'Finalised' as Club Eye Replacements," 25 June 2018 Government officials are adamant that this central allegation in the memo is baseless. — James Hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: More memos are coming. Here are six questions about ‘Phase Two’ of the Nunes investigation.," 5 Feb. 2018 Parents, adamant about limiting their kids' screen time, could push their kids toward the choice of either lying about their device use or being cut off from their social lives. — Cathleen O'grady, Ars Technica, "What do we actually know about the risks of screen time and digital media?," 17 Oct. 2018 Street Casting Is a Must From his first rogue show in New York’s Washington Square Park, Uribe has been adamant about casting his friends and collaborators in his events. — Steff Yotka, Vogue, "A Runway That Reflects Our World: How 4 Brands Are Bringing Fashion to Life," 11 Oct. 2018 That was intentional: Simkin says that Rae was adamant about wearing a Vera Wang design, since the designer dressed her last year. — Rachel Nussbaum, Glamour, "Issa Rae's Emmys Glow Was All Thanks to This $10 Highlighter," 17 Sep. 2018 Reinhart is adamant about keeping her personal life private from the press. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Cole Sprouse Shares a Stunning Topless Photo of Lili Reinhart for Her Birthday," 13 Sep. 2018 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

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"

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