as in persistence
a steadfast adherence to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
the man clung to his views on gun control with an obdurateness that was peculiarly impressive
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obdurateness
Noun
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The findings show a story of both progress and persistence.—
Jennifer Tescher,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026 -
Critics argue that state institutions have been slow to dismantle the networks and that political elites benefit directly or indirectly from their persistence.—
Chas Newkey-Burden,
TheWeek,
4 Mar. 2026
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
-
The news did not change Democrats' resolve to force operational changes within the department through the spending bill.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The collaborative work poured into this multi-agency operation is a testament to our resolve to turn the tide.—
Chelsea Hylton,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Dunk’s intransigence can’t last, of course.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Their intransigence has proved unpopular.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In season one, Robby’s vulnerabilities were made evident through his trauma over the loss of his mentor during COVID; in the show’s next chapter, his vulnerabilities are shown through his stubbornness.—
Esther Zuckerman,
Vanity Fair,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Given the stubbornness of beef prices, some investors may have feared inflation was running even hotter.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
20 Feb. 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
-
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
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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
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Cite this Entry
“Obdurateness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obdurateness. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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