Synonyms of obstinate

obstinate

adjective

ˈäb-stə-nət 

as in stubborn

sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion

the child was obstinate about wanting that specific toy, despite being offered several others

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stubborn
• adamant
• steadfast
• hardened
• obdurate
• implacable
• intransigent
• willful
• unbending
• pertinacious
• bullheaded
• headstrong
• unyielding
• opinionated
• uncompromising
• obsessive
• mulish
• unrelenting
• inflexible
• immovable
• hardheaded
• pigheaded
• dogged
• persistent
• adamantine
• pat
• hard
• ossified
• perverse
• determined
• self-willed
• strict
• stiff-necked
• hard-nosed
• relentless
• inconvincible
• self-opinionated
• iron
• tenacious
• defiant
• stern
• resolved
• unflinching
• severe
• inexorable
• wayward
• rigid
• deaf to reason
• wrongheaded
• contumacious
• cantankerous
• uncooperative
• disobedient
• hidebound
• recalcitrant
• narrow-minded
• intractable
• stouthearted
• refractory
• insubordinate
• hard-line
• single-minded
• unruly
• indomitable
• mutinous
• unmanageable
• firm
• unconquerable
• contrary
• bloody-minded
• inveterate
• hard-shell
• invincible
• cussed
• anal-retentive
• ungovernable
• unregenerate
• froward
• insurgent
• demanding
• hell-bent
• set
• confirmed
• exacting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• acquiescent
• agreeable
• complying
• flexible
• amenable
• pliable
• compliant
• pliant
• obedient
• docile
• yielding
• submissive
• tractable
• accepting
• willing
• responsive
• receptive
• reasonable
• relenting
• placable
• temperate
• manageable
• persuadable
• slavish
• subservient
• governable

Synonym Chooser

How is the word obstinate distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of obstinate are dogged, mulish, pertinacious, and stubborn. While all these words mean "fixed and unyielding in course or purpose," obstinate implies usually an unreasonable persistence.

an obstinate proponent of conspiracy theories

When could dogged be used to replace obstinate?

The words dogged and obstinate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dogged suggests an admirable often tenacious and unwavering persistence.

pursued the story with dogged perseverance

When is mulish a more appropriate choice than obstinate?

The synonyms mulish and obstinate are sometimes interchangeable, but mulish implies a thoroughly unreasonable obstinacy.

a mulish determination to have his own way

In what contexts can pertinacious take the place of obstinate?

In some situations, the words pertinacious and obstinate are roughly equivalent. However, pertinacious suggests an annoying or irksome persistence.

a pertinacious salesclerk refusing to take no for an answer

When would stubborn be a good substitute for obstinate?

The meanings of stubborn and obstinate largely overlap; however, stubborn implies sturdiness in resisting change which may or may not be admirable.

a person too stubborn to admit error

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of obstinate

But amid an increasingly obstinate City Council, opponent Ald. — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026

As negotiations continued, government officials felt Amodei was proving far more obstinate than the CEOs of other leading labs. — Harry Booth, Time, 11 Mar. 2026

Her husband, Charles (Christian Slater), is away on a months-long work trip, forcing her to deal with their obstinate landlord alone. — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026

Courtenay, as a caregiver with deeply sympathetic layers, exhibits frustration and compassion in equal measure, blending the obstinate protestations of a man in his twilight years with the lifelong tenderness and wisdom that often accompany them. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 Feb. 2026

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