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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 obstinacy
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
The collapse of 2023 was partly rooted in offensive obstinacy, stagnation and decline.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 23 July 2025
This seemed to me to stem not from carelessness or spite but obstinacy.
—Literary Hub, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for obstinacy
Shai Tubali, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025
The left’s obstinacy may carry a heavy political price.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
The collapse of 2023 was partly rooted in offensive obstinacy, stagnation and decline.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 23 July 2025
This seemed to me to stem not from carelessness or spite but obstinacy.
—Literary Hub, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for obstinacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstinacy
Noun
-
What was your personal experience with his stubbornness?—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The shadow is stubbornness or emotional defensiveness.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Personality traits such as mental toughness, discipline, high pain tolerance and persistence may also lead to worsened eating disorder risk and behaviors in athletes.—
Emily Hemendinger,
The Conversation,
13 Feb. 2026
-
It’s widely understood that to shop secondhand is to enter into a treasure hunt, where messiness is permitted and persistence is rewarded with bargains and unique items.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 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
-
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
-
There is no reason, besides intransigence, that City Hall can’t do the same.—
Kate Callen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
-
In fact, that summit seemed initially to have backfired for Russia, with Trump growing increasingly frustrated with Moscow’s intransigence.—
Clare Sebastian,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
China has gained, not suffered, from this obduracy.—
JONATHAN A. CZIN,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Nov. 2025
-
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
-
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
-
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
Noun
-
Yet even Smith’s dismissal doesn’t lead to the quick finale most are expecting, with Brydon Carse and Will Jacks showing the doggedness and determination that England have lacked so often in the series.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
21 Dec. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
In the weeks since the arson attack, Beth Israel has been supported by neighbors and people of different backgrounds and beliefs who have stood together with compassion and resolve.—
Lindsay Baach Friedmann,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Then, came the party meeting where Starmer impressed many with his sense of resolve.—
Jill Lawless,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obstinacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstinacy. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
