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
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Recent Examples of obstinate
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
Sadat and Israel’s Menachem Begin were obstinate, colorful negotiators.
—Arthur House, Hartford Courant, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for obstinate
Adjective
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
Sadat and Israel’s Menachem Begin were obstinate, colorful negotiators.
—Arthur House, Hartford Courant, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for obstinate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstinate
Adjective
-
Outside of Washington, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s followers appear to be scrambling the country's stubborn red-blue divide USA TODAY Texas is looking at bills to bring back exercise.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
-
Those stubborn dark spots that once felt like permanent guests on my face are finally starting to fade, and my complexion looks brighter and more even-toned.—
Essence,
Essence,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
Some bird species can be very precise, but do not necessarily maintain that persistence over time.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
1 May 2025
-
The key lies in a fast oscillating sheet known as a diffuser, onto which synchronous images are projected at high speed (2,880 images per second) and at different heights; human persistence of vision ensures that these images are perceived as true 3D objects.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Yet even as Bix seems to be an avatar for all the suffering and trauma the Star Wars galaxy has to offer, Arjona is adamant that her character is not a victim.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
2 May 2025
-
The league is adamant that the managers and front-office execs were informed, that front offices were updated on the specifics of the umpires’ labor agreement in writing and that there was no intent to keep anyone in the dark.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
These measures demonstrate the administration's resolve to continue economic and political pressure while seeking to limit Iran's military capabilities.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Ana is a force to be reckoned with, but the same youthful resolve that makes her charge forward lends itself to her most frustrating moments.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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 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
-
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
Noun
-
This week’s crop of new music finds Luke Combs and Bailey Zimmerman pairing up on a hard-charging anthem about grit and determination.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
5 May 2025
-
Choose from the Legends Tee, which honors Black pioneers of skateboarding with six black-and-white, high-contrast action shots, or the Wheels Tee, an homage to skateboarders’ determination and grit.—
Alia Yee Noll,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
But on the contrary, these four have been among the most supportive of PURA’s intransigence.—
Brian Harrell,
Hartford Courant,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Given deepening American intransigence and increasing demand from Ukraine, would Turkey put the SAGE 227 into production on Ukraine’s behalf?—
David Axe,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obstinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstinate. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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