as in persistence
a steadfast adherence to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
the man clung to his views on gun control with an obdurateness that was peculiarly impressive
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obdurateness
Noun
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For over a quarter century, first before SpaceX and now because of it, the ISS has been a triumph of science, diplomacy, and persistence.—
Tejpaul Bhatia,
Fortune,
20 May 2026 -
But the moon’s geological makeup gives moonquakes a surprising persistence compared with earthquakes; the tremors can last for several hours.—
Robin George Andrews,
Scientific American,
19 May 2026
Noun
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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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This year’s results—which show most respondents prioritizing gradual growth, continuous learning and well-being over fast career progression—once again point to the resolve and adaptability of these generations.—
Emma Codd,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2026
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And the story itself also neatly resolves, with the forces of good triumphing over the forces of evil.—
Emily Feng,
NPR,
20 May 2026
Noun
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Instead, the courts are dealing with intransigence from the city.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
13 May 2026
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In Kyiv, Orbán’s intransigence had scuttled various European initiatives to aid Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s government in the country’s with Russia.—
Rafi Schwartz,
TheWeek,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Still, tension rises when your need for reassurance clashes with pride or stubbornness.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
8 May 2026
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Letter writer worries mom’s stubbornness will limit visits just as parents are aging.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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China has gained, not suffered, from this obduracy.—
JONATHAN A. CZIN,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Nov. 2025
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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
Noun
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Starmer’s realism—or obstinacy, depending on your point of view—had seen off an immediate challenge.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
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The natural obstinacy and rebelliousness of Israa’s teenage years are hyperaccelerated by culture clashes with both her family and the other kids around her.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Those leaders who ignore or flout the law aren’t merely unethical but fatally arrogant, putting their childish willfulness over the wisdom of generations.—
David Brooks,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
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Though the Durutti Column had been a disaster, Wilson was fascinated by the guitarist, who admired punk’s willfulness even though his own musical taste tended toward jazz, blues, and the classical tradition.—
Brad Shoup,
Pitchfork,
24 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Obdurateness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obdurateness. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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