obstinacy
Americannoun
plural
obstinacies-
the quality or state of being obstinate; stubbornness.
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unyielding or stubborn adherence to one's purpose, opinion, etc.
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stubborn persistence.
The garrison fought on with incredible obstinacy.
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resistance to cure, relief, or treatment, as a disease.
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an instance of being obstinate; an obstinate act, viewpoint, etc.
noun
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the state or quality of being obstinate
-
an obstinate act, attitude, etc
Etymology
Origin of obstinacy
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin obstinātia, from Latin obstinātus “determined” (adjective use of past participle of obstināre “to set one's mind on, be determined”; see obstinate) + -ia -y 3
Explanation
Obstinacy is the quality of firmly sticking to your own viewpoint or desires. If you’ve ever watched a persistent two-year-old who wants something she’s been denied, you’ve witnessed obstinacy at its purest. Adults show obstinacy too of course, when they refuse to be moved or change their mind. Obstinacy can also refer to a situation or trait that is hard to overcome, as in the obstinacy of a physics problem that will not be solved or molasses that will not be stirred. Obstinacy is a noun for obstinate behavior — it can also be called bullheadedness, pigheadedness, willfulness, and plain old stubbornness.
Vocabulary lists containing obstinacy
Power Suffix: -acy
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Born a Crime
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"Arachne"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In business, it’s rare to find obstinacy mixed with integrity, and I can’t help thinking that’s the formula behind the Grand’s success.
From Salon • Dec. 18, 2025
Odenkirk was one of several perfectly cast actors in the episode, a force capable of matching Bernthal’s intensity and obstinacy.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 7, 2024
In a 17-page order, Judge Chushcoff said the employee “demonstrated obstinacy in her search” that led the State Patrol to move to discipline her; however, Loftis said the employee “subsequently left our employ.”
From Seattle Times • May 6, 2024
Even more shocking were Rubiales and the Spanish federation’s steadfast attacks on Hermoso in the aftermath and their obstinacy that he had done nothing wrong, going so far as to call Hermoso a liar.
From Slate • Aug. 30, 2023
They read my insistence as mere obstinacy, as foolishness, something that would quickly pass; and they had no notion how desperately serious the tale had made me.
From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
