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
Yet, over time, Bashar Assad inherited his father’s obstinacy and brutality and increasingly relied on the security apparatus to maintain control, stifling dissent and curbing opposition.
—
Sefa Secen / Made By History, TIME, 17 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for obstinacy
Sefa Secen / Made By History, TIME, 17 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for obstinacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstinacy
Noun
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While cost is a primary consideration for payers, lack of persistence on GLP-1s is another reason for hesitance to reimburse weight loss drugs.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
In the gleaming chrome and fresh paint of each vehicle at their events, there is a story of persistence, investment, and pride.—
Melissa Noel,
Essence,
2 Aug. 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
-
The indirect talks over a U.S. proposal for a 60-day ceasefire are being held in Doha, but optimism that surfaced last week of a looming deal has largely faded, with both sides accusing each other of intransigence.—
Crispian Balmer,
USA Today,
13 July 2025
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Meanwhile, the nationalist coalition fell apart under the twin hammers of economic disaster and Mosaddeq’s intransigence.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
9 July 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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Newcastle’s stance has hitherto been that the Sweden international is not for sale, but their resolve is being tested.—
Dan Cancian,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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In the meantime, the push back has only strengthened the film team’s resolve to get the film seen, with the producers opting for a direct-to-audience strategy.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
11 Aug. 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 goal for the studio is to offer storytelling that will highlight the determination, triumphs and heartbreaks of sports.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
7 Aug. 2025
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This 2009 legal determination is based on extensive scientific evidence that says heat-trapping emissions from activities like the burning of fossil fuels are driving climate change and posing a threat to human health and welfare.—
Carlos Martinez,
Scientific American,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obstinacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstinacy. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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