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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Recent Examples of obstinacy
But as Nicky expands his interests and each man gains power, their lives become entangled in a story of hot temples, obstinacy, money, love and deception.
—
Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 29 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for obstinacy
Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 29 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for obstinacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstinacy
Noun
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Baseball’s stubbornness and insistence on staggering all of its postseason games left a terrific pitcher’s duel between two of the game’s young stars to start shortly after lunch on the East Coast and just a bit after breakfast on the West Coast.—
Jason Lloyd,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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So, why does intellectual stubbornness so often carry the day?—
Shai Tubali,
Big Think,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Overwintering dahlias as perennials takes patience, persistence, and a little bit of trial and error.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Oct. 2025
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The persistence of this military alliance can best be explained by a lack of alternative Atlanticist structures.—
JENNIFER KAVANAGH,
Foreign Affairs,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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As traditional energy routes through Russia became politically unviable, and Iran’s intransigence is likely to focus more sanctions on its energy exports, Turkey is positioning itself to fill the gap.—
Ariel Cohen,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
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Thanks to the intransigence of the Friends of the Parks group, George Lucas threw up his hands and left.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
31 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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While this change reduces the explicit admission of willfulness, a narrative is still required.—
Virginia La Torre Jeker,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
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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
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Dissent among the Moscow elite could rise at how the Kremlin has dismissed diplomatic off-ramps in its war of choice, in favor of military doggedness and an unsustainable proxy conflict with NATO.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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That resolve was echoed across Grand Blanc throughout the week, as people scrambled for ways to do something, anything to help.—
John Wisely,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Fanilo, a 21-year-old medical student in Madagascar's capital Antananarivo who has been taking part in the demonstrations, said the government's handling of the protests has only strengthened the youth's resolve.—
Emmanuel Akinwotu,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obstinacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstinacy. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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