OBSTINACY Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

obstinacy

noun

ˈäb-stə-nə-sē

Definition of obstinacy

as in stubbornness

a steadfast adherence to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion the mindless obstinacy of those people who continue to insist that the earth is flat

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of obstinacy For him, obstinacy was far worse than correction. — Shai Tubali, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025 The left’s obstinacy may carry a heavy political price. — Editorial, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025 Our experiences were branded on our souls, broadening our perspective of the world and arming us with the obstinacy and mettle to pursue a meaningful life. — Jill Tucker, San Francisco Chronicle, 16 July 2025 This seemed to me to stem not from carelessness or spite but obstinacy. — Literary Hub, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for obstinacy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstinacy

Noun

The film’s cast is mostly made up of tribal non-actors, but Anghlong Konyak is its captivating center, as a man whose stubbornness against change sits alongside a lingering grief over his fading way of life.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
Perhaps the stubbornness on both sides is why this rivalry thrives despite its nonconference status.

— Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of stubbornness

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
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

Definition of persistency

Noun

The fact that so many diplomats before him have struggled is a testament not to the intransigence of international problems but to the mediocrity of his predecessors.

— Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
Fatigue with the stagnation inherent in contemporary democratic institutions is among the key factors that make the promise to break through intransigence by autocratic leaders attractive to a plurality of voters.

— Wendell Wallach, Hartford Courant, 25 June 2026

Definition of intransigence

Noun

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

Definition of obduracy

Noun

The Afghan Taliban and the Iraqi insurgency beat the United States through roadside bombs and sheer doggedness.

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Her doggedness, maybe her righteousness too, a fierce myopic focus and will, and a crazy confidence that in the end, both have nothing to lose.

— Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 15 June 2026

Definition of doggedness

Noun

From grandmother to grandchild, these three sets of two sisters were powerful characters possessed with passion, willfulness, bravery, and devotion to each other.

— Griffin Dunne, Vanity Fair, 11 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of willfulness

Noun

This requires yielding – surrendering self-will, fear, and human outlining – to the pure activity of Christ within consciousness.

— Larissa Snorek, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Dec. 2025
But also injuries and ailments at all the wrong times, as well as overt self-will at times.

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2025

Definition of self-will

Browse Nearby Words

obstetricians

obstinacy

obstinate

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Obstinacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstinacy. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of obstinacy

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Luddite

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes