as in persistence
a steadfast adherence to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
the administrator was known for her unyielding obduracy even in the face of proof that she was wrong
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Recent Examples of obduracy
Related: ‘Neglected diseases’ are anything but neglected by the billion-plus people living with them
One possible reason for this obduracy is that noma begins as a dental disease, and dental diseases have long been underappreciated global health concerns.
—
John Button, STAT, 16 Dec. 2023
Perhaps the greatest testament to Morocco’s obduracy came late in normal time, when Rodri — a central midfielder being deployed as a central defender — strode forward and shot, more in hope than in expectation, from 35 yards.
—Rory Smith, New York Times, 6 Dec. 2022
But a year later, more than two dozen of them remain stuck in Afghanistan, stalled by bureaucratic wrangling, the vagaries of international diplomacy and the obduracy of the Taliban government.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2022
In mid-March, Gotabaya Rajapaksa decided to seek a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a reversal of course after his earlier obduracy against asking for help.
—Samanth Subramanian, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2022
Myanmar is also being consumed by the coronavirus, a health disaster that has been exacerbated by the junta’s obduracy.
—BostonGlobe.com, 1 Aug. 2021
John Button, STAT, 16 Dec. 2023
Perhaps the greatest testament to Morocco’s obduracy came late in normal time, when Rodri — a central midfielder being deployed as a central defender — strode forward and shot, more in hope than in expectation, from 35 yards.
—Rory Smith, New York Times, 6 Dec. 2022
But a year later, more than two dozen of them remain stuck in Afghanistan, stalled by bureaucratic wrangling, the vagaries of international diplomacy and the obduracy of the Taliban government.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2022
In mid-March, Gotabaya Rajapaksa decided to seek a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a reversal of course after his earlier obduracy against asking for help.
—Samanth Subramanian, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2022
Myanmar is also being consumed by the coronavirus, a health disaster that has been exacerbated by the junta’s obduracy.
—BostonGlobe.com, 1 Aug. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obduracy
Noun
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These entrepreneurs have built their paths through persistence, creativity, and a focus on real-world impact.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Menounos says her persistence saved her life.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Trump has also wisely canceled the Budapest summit with Putin, citing Russian intransigence.—
Daniel Fried,
Time,
24 Oct. 2025
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An ally turns In his address Monday morning to explain his decision to resign, Lecornu blamed political parties' intransigence for the impasse France finds itself in.—
Charlotte Reed,
CNBC,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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For him, obstinacy was far worse than correction.—
Shai Tubali,
Big Think,
30 Sep. 2025
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Most tragically, the Palestinians have been given abundant reason to believe that obstinacy and terrorism are far better tools than concession and diplomacy.—
Tom Rogan,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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There are many stories about artists whose stubbornness prevented them from changing with the times.—
Michael Cuby,
Them.,
24 Oct. 2025
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Somehow, through therapy and counseling, sheer grit and stubbornness, Giuffre found a way to build a life.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 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
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The tannins are well structured yet soft and the wine has great persistency in the finish.—
Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen,
Robb Report,
2 May 2023
Noun
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Netflix's latest crime drama is resonant and relentless, offering audiences a sweaty, anxious look at doggedness and sacrifice in the face of a cruel, indifferent economy.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Dissent among the Moscow elite could rise at how the Kremlin has dismissed diplomatic off-ramps in its war of choice, in favor of military doggedness and an unsustainable proxy conflict with NATO.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The latest development puts a spotlight on Miami Dade College’s resolve not to hold a new public hearing on the controversial land deal.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
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But grit and resolve can only take a team so far when its active roster is inferior to many of its opponents, and that is the situation the red and gold currently face.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Either of these original conditions would compel us to curb our aspirations to self-making, self-saving, and self-liberation as harmful forms of willfulness.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Oct. 2025
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While this change reduces the explicit admission of willfulness, a narrative is still required.—
Virginia La Torre Jeker,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obduracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obduracy. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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