obdurate

adjective

ob·​du·​rate ˈäb-də-rət How to pronounce obdurate (audio)
-dyə-;
äb-ˈdu̇r-ət,
əb-,
-ˈdyu̇r-
1
a
: stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing
an unrepentant, obdurate sinner
b
: hardened in feelings
The obdurate enemy was merciless.
2
: resistant to persuasion or softening influences
obdurate in his determination
remaining obdurate to her husband's advancesEdith Wharton
obdurately adverb
obdurateness noun

Did you know?

When trying to persuade someone who has an obdurate disposition, you may end up feeling rather dour about your ability to change their mind. To endure such encounters in the future, you may find that you need to be more durable and not let their mulishness get you down. Maybe you will find such situations less stressful if you can face them knowing that the words obdurate, dour, endure, and durable are etymological kissing cousins. All trace back to the Latin adjective durus, which means “hard.”

Choose the Right Synonym for obdurate

inflexible, obdurate, adamant mean unwilling to alter a predetermined course or purpose.

inflexible implies rigid adherence or even servile 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

Examples of obdurate in a Sentence

He is known for his obdurate determination. the obdurate refusal of the crotchety old man to let the neighborhood kids retrieve their stray ball from his backyard
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Up the long hill and around a bend that almost touches itself White Chimneys comes into view, as harsh and obdurate as ever. Annie Proulx, The New Yorker, 30 June 2024 Over the next several hundred million years, terrestrial plants of all kinds profoundly altered the planet, accelerating the water cycle, turning obdurate crust into supple soil—and pushing the level of atmospheric oxygen to new heights. Ferris Jabr, The Atlantic, 25 June 2024 To Matthew and Rachelle, who by now had become attuned to the obdurate implacability of British authorities, the coroner’s response was maddening: this was their final opportunity to ascertain the truth. Patrick Radden Keefe, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024 Regina Hall came down with pneumonia while shooting Girls Trip, the irreverent 2017 comedy from Will Packer, a savant who repeatedly has shown an obdurate Hollywood that Black movies can mint money at the box office. Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for obdurate 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Late Latin obdūrātus, going back to Latin, past participle of obdūrāre "to harden, be persistent, hold out," from ob-, perfective prefix + dūrāre "to harden, hold out, endure" — more at ob-, during

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of obdurate was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near obdurate

Cite this Entry

“Obdurate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obdurate. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

obdurate

adjective
ob·​du·​rate ˈäb-d(y)ə-rət How to pronounce obdurate (audio)
äb-ˈd(y)u̇r-ət
1
a
: stubbornly continuing to do wrong
b
: hardened in feelings
2
: hard to convince or persuade : unyielding
obdurately adverb

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