obduracy

noun

ob·​du·​ra·​cy ˈäb-də-rə-sē How to pronounce obduracy (audio)
-dyə-;
äb-ˈdu̇r-ə-,
əb-,
-ˈdyu̇r-
plural obduracies
: the quality or state of being obdurate

Examples of obduracy in a Sentence

the administrator was known for her unyielding obduracy even in the face of proof that she was wrong
Recent Examples on the Web 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 Andreas blames the obduracy of U.S. politicians and bureaucrats for the persistence of the drug wars, despite their evident failure and their huge financial and human costs. Russell Crandall, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2021 Perhaps the greatest testament to Morocco’s obduracy came late in normal time, when Rodri — a central midfielder being deployed as a central defender — strode forward and shot, more in hope than in expectation, from 35 yards. Rory Smith, New York Times, 6 Dec. 2022 But a year later, more than two dozen of them remain stuck in Afghanistan, stalled by bureaucratic wrangling, the vagaries of international diplomacy and the obduracy of the Taliban government. Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2022 Real Madrid beat Liverpool, 1-0, on Saturday in Paris with a performance of ruthless efficiency, of meticulous organization, of clinical obduracy. New York Times, 28 May 2022 In mid-March, Gotabaya Rajapaksa decided to seek a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a reversal of course after his earlier obduracy against asking for help. Samanth Subramanian, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2022 The rise of the Delta variant and the obduracy of vaccination resisters altered the landscape of the pandemic in just the last few months. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2021 Myanmar is also being consumed by the coronavirus, a health disaster that has been exacerbated by the junta’s obduracy. BostonGlobe.com, 1 Aug. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'obduracy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

obdur(ate) + -acy

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of obduracy was in 1600

Dictionary Entries Near obduracy

Cite this Entry

“Obduracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obduracy. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

obduracy

noun
ob·​du·​ra·​cy ˈäb-d(y)ə-rə-sē How to pronounce obduracy (audio)
äb-ˈd(y)u̇r-ə-
plural obduracies
: the quality or state of being obdurate

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