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
• wilful
• obdurate
• implacable
• intransigent
• willful
• unbending
• pertinacious
• bullheaded
• headstrong
• opinionated
• unyielding
• uncompromising
• mulish
• obsessive
• unrelenting
• inflexible
• immovable
• hardheaded
• pigheaded
• persistent
• dogged
• adamantine
• pat
• hard
• ossified
• perverse
• determined
• strict
• self-willed
• stiff-necked
• hard-nosed
• relentless
• inconvincible
• self-opinionated
• tenacious
• iron
• 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
• hard-shelled
• 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

Then there is the obstinate refusal to desalinate the ocean. —Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 20 Jan. 2025

Then there’s the delight in seeing kangaroos dragged involuntarily to safety by their tails, obstinate goats slung over human shoulders, unexpectedly cuddly tapirs, sedated leopards, an ostrich chased into a rescue truck, etc. —Dennis Harvey, Variety, 8 Jan. 2025

Sadat and Israel’s Menachem Begin were obstinate, colorful negotiators. —Arthur House, Hartford Courant, 30 Dec. 2024

Inna, notoriously protective of her husband’s legacy, worked with a translator and editors on a few chapters of the book but then retreated into obstinate silence. —Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025

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