Obstinate
OB-stuh-nit
/ˈɒbstɪnət/
Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion, plan, or course of action despite reason or persuasion.
Implies an irrational or annoying refusal to give way, often sticking to a path simply out of pride.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'ob' (against) and 'stare' (to stand). The word evokes an image of someone planting their feet directly in front of an oncoming force and refusing to move an inch.
Word relationships
- stubborn: 'Stubborn' is broader and more common; 'obstinate' often carries a stronger tone of unreasonable resistance.
- inflexible: 'Inflexible' emphasizes rigidity of rules or mind, whereas 'obstinate' emphasizes active resistance to change.
- compliant: Compliant implies yielding willingly to requests or rules.
- flexible: Flexible implies an ability to adapt easily to changing circumstances.
Commonly confused with
- Obdurate: Obstinate means refusing to change your mind; obdurate implies a cold, hardened heart immune to moral or emotional appeals.
Word family
- obstinacy (noun): the quality or state of being obstinate
- obstinately (adverb): in an obstinate or stubbornly persistent manner
Collocations
- obstinate refusal
- obstinate resistance
- obstinate silence
- remain obstinate
Idioms & expressions
- stubborn as a mule
- dig one's heels in
Example sentences
- "Despite overwhelming evidence and public protest, the committee remained obstinate in its refusal to amend the bill." Describing political gridlock
- "He was an obstinate man, who had lived all his life in the belief that whatever he did was right." Classic Literature
Memory hook
OB-STIN-ATE: Think of an OBject STaNding in your path and refusing to move off the ATE-way (pathway). Standing firmly in the path of reason.
When not to use
Do not use to describe positive grit or noble endurance in severe hardship; use 'tenacious' instead.
Fun facts
- Medical terminology uses 'obstinate' to describe conditions or infections that resist medical treatment.
Related words
Explore more words
persist, bigotry, obtuse, intransigence, persistent, asinine
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