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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of obstinate
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
See All Example Sentences for obstinate
Adjective
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
See All Example Sentences for obstinate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstinate
Adjective
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Still, the stubborn media silence continued unabated.—
Nate Rogers,
Vulture,
22 May 2025
-
United needed to play perfect football to unlock a stubborn defence, but struggled to push past competency.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Noun
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By doing this, Els revealed the persistence of a parallel Afrikaner consciousness that remembers Apartheid not with shame, but with pride and nostalgia.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 May 2025
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Your commitment will require endurance, grace, and persistence.—
Liz Simmons,
StyleCaster,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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Following Meghan's statements, Eldridge is adamant that her relatable role isn't convincing.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
29 May 2025
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In early previews and pre-release memos, the developers have been adamant that, despite targeting a more casual audience with some more forgiving elements, this is meant to be enjoyed by people who have spent hundreds of hours in the main game and its 2024 expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2025
Noun
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His moral clarity and resolve helped dismantle communism’s grip across Eastern Europe, creating space for evangelism and spiritual renewal.—
Case Thorp,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 May 2025
-
In a post-AGI era, there is a notable task that AGI could substantially help humanity resolve.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
22 May 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 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
-
Campbell’s thirst to learn protected him from obstinacy.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
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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
Noun
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While an immigration judge in Louisiana has found Khalil deportable based on Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s determination, his lawyers separately brought the federal court case to ask Farbiaz to weigh in on the constitutional issues at play.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
29 May 2025
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And there is determination and Stovall has plenty of that.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2025
Noun
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The Manhattan court countermanded the intransigence of the court stenographers and directed the daily publication of the Trump transcripts on a court website.—
Nick Akerman,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2025
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Three European diplomatic sources told Reuters Rubio's comments reflected growing frustration in the White House over Russian intransigence to end the war.—
Bart H. Meijer and Gabriel Stargardter,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obstinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstinate. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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