obstinate

[ob-stuh-nit]

See more synonyms for obstinate on Thesaurus.com

adjective

firmly or stubbornly adhering to one's purpose, opinion, etc.; not yielding to argument, persuasion, or entreaty.
characterized by inflexible persistence or an unyielding attitude; inflexibly persisted in or carried out: obstinate advocacy of high tariffs.
not easily controlled or overcome: the obstinate growth of weeds.

not yielding readily to treatment, as a disease.

Origin of obstinate

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin obstinātus (past participle of obstināre to set one's mind on, be determined), equivalent to ob- ob- + -stin-, combining form of stan- (derivative of stāre to stand) + -ātus -ate¹

Related formsob·sti·nate·ly, adverbob·sti·nate·ness, nounsu·per·ob·sti·nate, adjectivesu·per·ob·sti·nate·ly, adverbsu·per·ob·sti·nate·ness, nounun·ob·sti·nate, adjectiveun·ob·sti·nate·ly, adverb

Synonyms for obstinate

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1. mulish, obdurate, unyielding, unbending, intractable, perverse, inflexible, refractory, pertinacious. See stubborn.

Antonyms for obstinate

1. submissive, tractable.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for obstinate

tenacious, steadfast, unyielding, inflexible, intransigent, recalcitrant, dogmatic, willful, adamant, headstrong, hardened, dogged, convinced, firm, resolved, cantankerous, contradictory, contrary, contumacious, hard

Examples from the Web for obstinate

Contemporary Examples of obstinate

Obstinate Pierre refuses to care about anything, even when a passing lion threatens to eat him.
When Activism Is Worse Than Apathy
Nancy Kaffer
October 6, 2014
The president also learned that the Palestinians and the Arab states were every bit as obstinate as Netanyahu.
From Washington To Sderot
Jonathan Rynhold
February 7, 2013
The more the Republicans lose, the more stubborn and obstinate they become.
Starbucks’ Effort to Solve the Fiscal Cliff Probably Won’t Work
Daniel Gross
December 26, 2012
He predicted the embattled and obstinate leader will fall in a matter of days.
A Strongman's Last Stand
Julia L. Ritchey
April 5, 2011
The vengeance-seeking, obstinate businessman and peace preacher are soon forced into a farcical confrontation.
Midwinter Madness in New York 2011
Lizzie Crocker
February 23, 2011

Historical Examples of obstinate

He is too obstinate; if a man can be too honest, he is too honest.
The Grand Old Man
Richard B. Cook
When he was obstinate, and insisted on exerting himself, she gave in.
Life and Death of Harriett Frean
May Sinclair
I'm an obstinate kind of creature, and get things by hanging on.
Quaint Courtships
Various
Joseph said nothing further except, "Good-by, obstinate one!"
The Boy Life of Napoleon
Eugenie Foa
But Panoria was an obstinate child, and she returned to the charge.
The Boy Life of Napoleon
Eugenie Foa

British Dictionary definitions for obstinate

obstinate

adjective

adhering fixedly to a particular opinion, attitude, course of action, etc
self-willed or headstrong
difficult to subdue or alleviate; persistentan obstinate fever

Derived Formsobstinately, adverb

Word Origin for obstinate

C14: from Latin obstinātus, past participle of obstināre to persist in, from ob- (intensive) + stin-, variant of stare to stand

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for obstinate

adj.

mid-14c., from Latin obstinatus "resolute, resolved, determined, inflexible, stubborn," past participle of obstinare "persist, stand stubbornly, set one's mind on," from ob "by" (see ob-) + stinare, related to stare "stand," from PIE root *sta- "to stand" (see stet). Related: Obstinately.

obstinate in Medicine

obstinate

[ŏb′stə-nĭt]

adj.

Stubbornly adhering to an attitude, opinion, or course of action.
Difficult to alleviate or cure.