1
as in persistent
continuing despite difficulties, opposition, or discouragement
a pertinacious little boy who was determined to catch and collect reptiles
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stubborn
sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
a pertinacious salesman who would simply not take "No!" for an answer
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pertinacious
But Kerry, the pertinacious diplomat and former Massachusetts senator, sees too much to do — and insisted in an interview with The Boston Globe there is too much to possibly achieve — to quit just yet.
—
Jess Bidgood, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Feb. 2023
Barletta’s pertinacious reputation on immigration, from his time as mayor of Hazleton to his four terms in the U.S. House, is at center stage this year in his campaign to defeat Sen. Bob Casey’s bid for a third term.
—Chris Brennan, Philly.com, 25 June 2018
Jess Bidgood, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Feb. 2023
Barletta’s pertinacious reputation on immigration, from his time as mayor of Hazleton to his four terms in the U.S. House, is at center stage this year in his campaign to defeat Sen. Bob Casey’s bid for a third term.
—Chris Brennan, Philly.com, 25 June 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pertinacious
Adjective
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The Great Lakes region is being drenched by persistent lake-effect rains off Lake Michigan.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Freep.com,
23 Oct. 2025
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This resulted in persistent, runaway inflation and unmanageable national debt.—
Jim Nowlan,
Mercury News,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Month over month, that would be the same stubborn pace that has persisted for more than two years.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
24 Oct. 2025
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Results show that microbial iron mining can immobilize toxic metals and convert stubborn pollutants into less harmful compounds.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Congressional Republicans were insistent on a continuing resolution (CR) that included rollbacks of key parts of the ACA.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
21 Oct. 2025
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Frequently, an ascending complex melody will level out into a single, insistent note; tempos accelerate and then accelerate again; her singers give up on words to wail like Klaxons.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Back in January 2024, when Sportico was first to report on Florida State’s conversations with Sixth Street and Arctos Partners, many around the process were adamant to point out that those conversations were private credit (or private capital), not private equity.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
22 Oct. 2025
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Giuffre was adamant that the pain, including several attempts at suicide in the past few years, was part of her story.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Any credible evidence of sabotage or arson will be met with a swift and resolute response.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Such welcome candidness to questions of spirituality is enough to move even a resolute non-believer like me.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Davis, a staunch libertarian, is one of the company’s steadfast defenders.—
David Peisner,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
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Odinga, who served prison time for his steadfast support for democracy and political reform, played a critical role in replacing a colonial-era charter with the country’s current constitution, which imposes clearer limits on presidential power.—
Ian Bremmer,
Time,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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As Bob throws a tantrum with the resistance’s obstinate operator, Sensei procures a rifle for Bob too.—
Robert Daniels,
Time,
10 Oct. 2025
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The other parents in Julianna’s comments had a similarly good sense of humor about how weaning an obstinate toddler can sometimes feel like negotiating with a dictator.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pertinacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pertinacious. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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