Obdurate
OB-dyoo-rit
/ˈɒbdjʊrət/
Unmoved by persuasion, pity, or tender feelings; stubbornly hard-hearted.
Implies a complete lack of human empathy or moral responsiveness, like stone.
The story behind the word. Derived from Latin 'obdurare', meaning 'to harden against'. It shares its lineage with 'durable' (able to endure) and 'endure', suggesting something that has been cured until it is as hard as iron.
Word relationships
- callous: 'Callous' emphasizes emotional coldness, whereas 'obdurate' combines coldness with unyielding stubbornness.
- flinty: 'Flinty' suggests a tough, severe character, while 'obdurate' focuses on resisting pity or logic.
- tenderhearted: Tenderhearted implies being easily moved by love, sympathy, or pity.
- compassionate: Compassionate highlights feeling deep sympathy for others' suffering.
Commonly confused with
- Obstinate: Obstinate is sticking to an opinion; obdurate is being callous and emotionally hardened against pity.
Word family
- obdurately (adverb): in an obdurate or stubbornly unfeeling manner
- obdurateness (noun): the quality of being obdurate
Collocations
- obdurate heart
- remain obdurate
- obdurate foe
- obdurate silence
Idioms & expressions
- heart of stone
- deaf to all entreaties
Example sentences
- "The tyrant remained obdurate to the tears of the villagers begging for mercy." Literary depiction of a villain
- "Time is an obdurate force that pays no mind to human wishes or regrets." Philosophical commentary
Memory hook
OB-DURATE: Think of DURABLE rock. An obdurate person is hard like a durable rock that cannot be moved. Hardened against tears and reason.
When not to use
Do not use for minor disagreements; it implies deep moral hardness or coldness.
Fun facts
- John Milton frequently used 'obdurate' in 'Paradise Lost' to describe Satan's stubborn defiance against God.
Related words
Explore more words
callous, obtuse, ruthless, intransigence, relentless, steadfast
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