as in stubbornness
a steadfast adherence to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
the mindless obstinacy of those people who continue to insist that the earth is flat
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obstinacy
That is the popular girl’s cross to bear, and the desperate obstinacy that comes with this realization is one of Cody’s main themes.
—
Rafaela Bassili, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2024
Odenkirk was one of several perfectly cast actors in the episode, a force capable of matching Bernthal’s intensity and obstinacy.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2024
Politics, even now, is about more than baubles and encomia, and in their obstinacy, most voters remain at least somewhat interested in the policies that each candidate brings to the feast.
—Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review, 29 July 2024
People talk a lot about artificial intelligence but not enough about artificial obstinacy.
—David Brooks, The Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for obstinacy
Rafaela Bassili, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2024
Odenkirk was one of several perfectly cast actors in the episode, a force capable of matching Bernthal’s intensity and obstinacy.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2024
Politics, even now, is about more than baubles and encomia, and in their obstinacy, most voters remain at least somewhat interested in the policies that each candidate brings to the feast.
—Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review, 29 July 2024
People talk a lot about artificial intelligence but not enough about artificial obstinacy.
—David Brooks, The Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for obstinacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstinacy
Noun
-
Keyon Monte’s journey through the world of theater has been shaped by persistence, reinvention and a deep love for storytelling.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
12 July 2025
-
Sales bring empathy, persistence, active listening and problem solving.—
Sarah Goodall,
Forbes.com,
11 July 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 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
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Given Putin’s intransigence, the U.S.-led peace process the Trump administration has attempted to spark hasn’t achieved anything other than several rounds of prisoner releases between Russia and Ukraine.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
15 July 2025
-
Ace Bailey’s landing spot in the NBA 2025 Draft has been the subject of great recent speculation because of his seeming intransigence during the pre-draft process.—
Jack Magruder,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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Naval presence operations are designed to shape the perceptions and behavior of potential adversaries, said Emma Salisbury, a researcher at the Council on Geostrategy in the U.K., by helping to deter aggression and demonstrate resolve without resorting to conflict.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
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Any signs that Ukraine’s backers are losing their resolve will only encourage Moscow to stick to that course, a task made easier by the support of Russia’s allies, the absence of material internal dissent, and the low level of importance that the Kremlin attaches to its own soldiers’ deaths.—
The Editors,
National Review,
11 July 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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Distributions to heirs or charitable contributions can be made by the determination of an independent trustee.—
Martin Shenkman,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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However, their passion for the sport and determination led to changes in the rules, allowing Muslim women to compete in full-body uniforms at both collegiate and national levels.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obstinacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstinacy. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
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