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Synonym Chooser

How is the word obdurate different from other adjectives like it?

The words adamant and inflexible are common synonyms of obdurate. While all three words mean "unwilling to alter a predetermined course or purpose," obdurate stresses hardness of heart and insensitivity to appeals for mercy or the influence of divine grace.

obdurate in his refusal to grant clemency

When can adamant be used instead of obdurate?

The words adamant and obdurate can be used in similar contexts, but adamant implies utter immovability in the face of all temptation or entreaty.

adamant that the work should continue

Where would inflexible be a reasonable alternative to obdurate?

While the synonyms inflexible and obdurate are close in meaning, inflexible implies rigid adherence or even slavish conformity to principle.

inflexible in their demands

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of obdurate 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 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 See All Example Sentences for obdurate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obdurate
Adjective
  • There is the ruthless spymaster Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård) and his mysterious assistant Kleya (Elizabeth Dulau).
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • O’Neil had shown a more ruthless streak in dealing with Lemina, stripping the midfielder of the captaincy after those embarrassing post-match scenes at West Ham.
    Steve Madeley, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Traders do see the Fed cutting in June, but much can change between now and then, and a stubborn central bank could set off Trump again.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The most glaring of those misses came against Arsenal in October, with Bournemouth trying to break down a stubborn defence following William Saliba’s dismissal.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In Season 4 of the Max comedy (streaming weekly on Thursdays), Deborah (Jean Smart) is struggling to find her ground amid a merciless feud with head writer Ava (Hannah Einbinder).
    Erin Jensen, USA Today, 3 May 2025
  • The math of those slices off the point totals was merciless: Should a big prep draw a field of less than five, a 50-point second place was reduced to a 25-point place showing, which can mean the difference between getting a stall in the Churchill gate and not getting to race.
    Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Since then, White House officials have remained adamant about sticking by Hegseth, even as criticism has mounted in recent weeks and questions about his judgment have resurfaced.
    Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Despite the significant decline, the Trump administration is adamant about shoring up the border to ensure it is left secure before leaving office.
    Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Havoc brings the heat, throwing Tom Hardy's stony Walker into a hotbed of gangsters, dirty cops, corrupt elites, and wicked assassins.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Yeo, with even less to work with, fares a little better with her stony matriarch character, doing a lot with a simple tilt of her face to the sky and a single tear.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Decade after decade, the city remains steadfast in the face of adversity.
    Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Among those who left in time, some remained steadfast in their lifelong friendships, as did their children.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Obdurate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obdurate. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on obdurate

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