obdurate

adjective

ob·​du·​rate ˈäb-də-rət 

-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 advances

—Edith 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.”

Synonyms

• ruthless
• merciless
• stony

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

Ipswich proved obdurate and then generous opponents — Newcastle’s 78 per cent possession was the highest by any team in a Premier League match this season — and their relegation was confirmed by this 3-0 defeat. —George Caulkin, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025

Whatever regime emerges could well be even more radical and obdurate. —Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2025

Nevertheless, Biden’s obdurate unwillingness to step aside for younger, more plausible Democratic candidates resulted in the reëmergence of his nemesis. —David Remnick, The New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2025

Whatever regime emerges could well be even more radical and obdurate. —Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2025

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

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Kids Definition

obdurate

adjective

ob·​du·​rate ˈäb-d(y)ə-rət 

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