as in persistence
a steadfast adherence to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
the administrator was known for her unyielding obduracy even in the face of proof that she was wrong
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Recent Examples of obduracy
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
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
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
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
John Button, STAT, 16 Dec. 2023
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obduracy
Noun
-
While Sehgal’s persistence was key in keeping the project alive through corporate upheavals – going as far as to stash a culture at home – neither Nogrady nor the METEI was ever credited in his landmark publications.—
Ted Powers,
The Conversation,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Many locals already have tight circles, and breaking in takes patience and persistence.—
Cepee Tabibian,
CNBC,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
As traditional energy routes through Russia became politically unviable, and Iran’s intransigence is likely to focus more sanctions on its energy exports, Turkey is positioning itself to fill the gap.—
Ariel Cohen,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
-
Thanks to the intransigence of the Friends of the Parks group, George Lucas threw up his hands and left.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
31 July 2025
Noun
-
For him, obstinacy was far worse than correction.—
Shai Tubali,
Big Think,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The left’s obstinacy may carry a heavy political price.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But the Steelers, for whatever reason, insisted on rushing, and their stubbornness fed into four scoreless drives in the second half.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
22 Sep. 2025
-
What led me to actually having the opportunity to do it was a combination of luck, timing and stubbornness.—
Stephanie Kaloi,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 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
-
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
-
Netflix's latest crime drama is resonant and relentless, offering audiences a sweaty, anxious look at doggedness and sacrifice in the face of a cruel, indifferent economy.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Dissent among the Moscow elite could rise at how the Kremlin has dismissed diplomatic off-ramps in its war of choice, in favor of military doggedness and an unsustainable proxy conflict with NATO.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Russian military aircraft flying near North America could be interpreted as another move by Moscow to test NATO's resolve during high tensions with the alliance.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Putin will test this new resolve.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
While this change reduces the explicit admission of willfulness, a narrative is still required.—
Virginia La Torre Jeker,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obduracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obduracy. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.
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