as in persistence
a steadfast adherence to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
her intransigence on the issue was simply frustrating
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Recent Examples of intransigence
In fact, that summit seemed initially to have backfired for Russia, with Trump growing increasingly frustrated with Moscow’s intransigence.
—
Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
But the Islamic Republic is ultimately to blame for calls for regime change, given its decades-long intransigence to demands for reform, its crackdown on dissidents, and its woeful economic mismanagement and corruption.
—Nahid Siamdoust, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Afterward, Rubio apparently described his intransigence to Trump, and the summit was quickly cancelled.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
But this outcome is more the product of Putin’s intransigence than European diplomacy.
—Matthias Matthijs, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intransigence
Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
But the Islamic Republic is ultimately to blame for calls for regime change, given its decades-long intransigence to demands for reform, its crackdown on dissidents, and its woeful economic mismanagement and corruption.
—Nahid Siamdoust, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Afterward, Rubio apparently described his intransigence to Trump, and the summit was quickly cancelled.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
But this outcome is more the product of Putin’s intransigence than European diplomacy.
—Matthias Matthijs, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intransigence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intransigence
Noun
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The persistence of such moves has affected the country's tourism industry.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Mar. 2026
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About two weeks after the couple’s trip took its unexpected turn, their persistence appears to have paid off.—
Blane Bachelor,
CNN Money,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Maybe this stubbornness won’t affect anything.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
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The 22-year-old had been relentless in her pursuit of a goal all match against rival Canada, and her stubbornness finally paid off in the 55th minute.—
Melanie Anzidei,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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China has gained, not suffered, from this obduracy.—
JONATHAN A. CZIN,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Nov. 2025
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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
Noun
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The natural obstinacy and rebelliousness of Israa’s teenage years are hyperaccelerated by culture clashes with both her family and the other kids around her.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
24 Jan. 2026
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The White House does not seem to have a workaround to Putin’s obstinacy, and Rubio told Hannity that all other parties seeking to end the conflict are hopeless.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The Home Service Insurance segment experienced a decline in premiums, attributed to strategic actions to improve sales quality and persistency, as well as economic pressures such as inflation.—
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom,
Quartz,
13 Mar. 2025
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The tannins are well structured yet soft and the wine has great persistency in the finish.—
Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen,
Robb Report,
2 May 2023
Noun
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One of the novel’s quietly devastating moments comes when Branwell, in the middle of one of his cycles of resolve, tells Emily he is done with laudanum and alcohol.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Mar. 2026
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Following six years of vainly protesting his innocence, Dantès resolves to starve himself to death.—
Michael Dirda,
The New York Review of Books,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Centres come at a significant premium cost, and there’s a fair bit of regard for Hayton around the industry given his versatility, face-off winning ability, power-play utility and doggedness.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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Corey Perry, winger, A- Joel Armia, forward, B Perry has delivered the doggedness the Kings came to expect from him as a longtime rival, along with his best per-game scoring rate since 2018.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Though the Durutti Column had been a disaster, Wilson was fascinated by the guitarist, who admired punk’s willfulness even though his own musical taste tended toward jazz, blues, and the classical tradition.—
Brad Shoup,
Pitchfork,
24 Jan. 2026
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The orphan’s predicament is as much a matter of willfulness as of survival—inseparable, as in the works of Charles Dickens, from a dream of being somehow rescued by the idea of an adult world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Intransigence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intransigence. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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