OBSTINATENESS Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

obstinateness

noun

Definition of obstinateness

as in persistence

a steadfast adherence to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion regardless of the issue, she holds onto her position with an obstinateness that would exhaust the patience of a saint

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstinateness

Noun

While burning through so much of their pitching depth, the Cubs have demonstrated persistence, flexibility and problem-solving skills.

— Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 30 July 2026
The child narrator’s lingering guilt and Ayah’s eventual recovery, achieved through the persistence of other women, place the gendered costs of partition at the center of the book.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026

Definition of persistence

Noun

Iran’s leaders project resolve while internal rifts deepen over whether to negotiate with Washington.

— Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
This moment has strengthened policymakers’ resolve in the European Union, where an airline SAF mandate has faced pushback from industry since it was signed into law in 2023.

— Justin Worland, Time, 31 July 2026

Definition of resolve

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

Definition of persistency

Noun

Starmer’s realism—or obstinacy, depending on your point of view—had seen off an immediate challenge.

— Sam Knight, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
The natural obstinacy and rebelliousness of Israa’s teenage years are hyperaccelerated by culture clashes with both her family and the other kids around her.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2026

Definition of obstinacy

Noun

So harnessing the competitiveness and work rate which complemented a generational talent, the former striker went back to the drawing board with gritty determination.

— Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
But engineers don’t have all the data in hand to make a final determination.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of determination

Noun

Fatigue with the stagnation inherent in contemporary democratic institutions is among the key factors that make the promise to break through intransigence by autocratic leaders attractive to a plurality of voters.

— Wendell Wallach, Hartford Courant, 25 June 2026
Instead, the courts are dealing with intransigence from the city.

— The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 13 May 2026

Definition of intransigence

Noun

Those leaders who ignore or flout the law aren’t merely unethical but fatally arrogant, putting their childish willfulness over the wisdom of generations.

— David Brooks, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
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

Definition of willfulness

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.

Browse Nearby Words

obstinately

obstinateness

obstreperous

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Obstinateness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstinateness. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of obstinateness

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

élan

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes