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
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.
—New York Times, 1 Aug. 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
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
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.
—New York Times, 1 Aug. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obduracy
Noun
-
Your experience illustrates the importance of persistence and following up.—
Christopher Elliott The Travel Troubleshooter,
Sun Sentinel,
30 June 2025
-
The theme is echoed in videos exploring contemporary Australian bark-cloth painting, and the persistence of masquerade traditions across Africa.—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
Explaining its rationale for lowering its credit rating on the United States for the first time since 1917, Moody’s cited ballooning US debt levels and Washington’s intransigence over budget deficit solutions.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
19 May 2025
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However, Hogg’s intransigence proves that Democrats will likely need to give way to younger leaders or risk more public internal drama that distracts from countering the Trump administration.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
11 May 2025
Noun
-
This seemed to me to stem not from carelessness or spite but obstinacy.—
erin Khuê Ninh
June 17,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2025
-
Campbell’s thirst to learn protected him from obstinacy.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Noun
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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 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
Noun
-
Though numbers had shrunk in recent weeks, the massive showing for Saturday’s anti-Vucic rally suggested that the resolve persists, despite relentless pressure and after nearly eight months of almost daily protests.—
Jovana Gec,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2025
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Advertisement Advertisement The timing of the executions appears intended less to inflame anti-Israel sentiment than to project strength internally, a source familiar with the matter told TIME, describing it as a signal of resolve by a government increasingly consumed with fears of infiltration.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
27 June 2025
Noun
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But also injuries and ailments at all the wrong times, as well as overt self-will at times.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Feb. 2025
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So for those of us torn between watching the sun get blotted out and getting blotto keeping our attention on a particularly good rock show, this exercise in multi-tasking was a real contest of self-will.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2024
Noun
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The network of community leaders and officials all questioned the administration’s determination that Haiti is now safe enough for people to return.—
Churchill Ndonwie,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2025
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The increasingly obvious awfulness of Dave’s book gives Smollett some great reaction work amid all Michelle’s pained determination.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obduracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obduracy. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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