Obstinate

/ˈɒb.stɪ.nət/ · adjective

Meaning

Stubbornly adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course, usually with implied unreasonableness; persistent..

Definitions by Sense

1. Stubbornly adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course, usually with implied unreasonableness; persistent.
2. Of an inanimate object, not easily subdued or removed.
3. Of a facial feature or expression, fixed and unmoving.

Example Sentences

From this consideration it is that we have derived the custom, in times of war, to punish […] those who are obstinate to defend a place that by the rules of war is not tenable […]

[…] the junior Osborne was quite as obstinate as the senior: when he wanted a thing, quite as firm in his resolution to get it; and quite as violent when angered, as his father in his most stern moments

an obstinate blockage in the pipe

1925-29, Mahadev Desai (translator), M.K. Gandhi, The Story of My Experiments with Truth, Part IV, Chapter XXIX, Now it happened that Kasturbai […] had again begun getting haemorrhage, and the malady seemed to be obstinate.

He had the same pile of curly hair, but he was clean-shaven with a heavy, obstinate jowl.

Synonyms for obstinate

Antonyms for obstinate

Related Words

Word Forms

• more obstinate
• most obstinate
• obstinant

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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