1
as in ruthless
having or showing a lack of sympathy or tender feelings
the obdurate refusal of the crotchety old man to let the neighborhood kids retrieve their stray ball from his backyard
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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
an obdurate farmer who could never be convinced to try a different method of fertilization
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of obdurate
By the spring of 1945, with Germany defeated, the Allies turned to an obdurate Japan.
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Peter Englund, Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2023
The camera often pans to the obdurate face of an office clock, showing time frozen but also inexorably passing—the burning fuse of Chow and Su’s relationship.
—Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 1 Sep. 2023
On Tuesday, Torres signed a pledge with a powerful association of some three-hundred eighty thousand military veterans who are notorious for their obdurate conservatism and belligerence.
—Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2023
This is a line of chatter that was heavily promoted by the late private equity billionaire Peter G. Peterson, one of the most obdurate enemies of Social Security.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2023
See all Example Sentences for obdurate 
Peter Englund, Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2023
The camera often pans to the obdurate face of an office clock, showing time frozen but also inexorably passing—the burning fuse of Chow and Su’s relationship.
—Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 1 Sep. 2023
On Tuesday, Torres signed a pledge with a powerful association of some three-hundred eighty thousand military veterans who are notorious for their obdurate conservatism and belligerence.
—Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2023
This is a line of chatter that was heavily promoted by the late private equity billionaire Peter G. Peterson, one of the most obdurate enemies of Social Security.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2023
See all Example Sentences for obdurate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obdurate
Adjective
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The techno is deafening, but Walker, who went on these trips herself before starting her career as a cinematographer, dances us through the chaos with ruthless resolve.Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024
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Paramount+ In Star Trek lore, Klingons are rugged, ruthless warriors.Carlos Mejia, PCMAG, 3 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The Fed’s preferred inflation measure — the Personal Consumption Expenditures price index — is due Friday and could similarly show stubborn price pressures.Bryan Mena, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024
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While the overall economic picture is starting to look better, stubborn inflation and the prospect of new tariffs when President-elect Donald Trump takes office seem to give mid-market leaders pause.Megan Poinski, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The woman doubts what is happening to her, doubts her surroundings, doubts her recent experiences, but the boy urges her on, merciless.Mikaella Clements & Onjuli Datta, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024
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But the ruthless cleaning up of those streets and merciless treatment of gang members have triggered outrage and concern among human rights organizations, which have condemned Cecot as inhumane and unacceptable.David Culver, CNN, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The company has long maintained that privacy is a fundamental human right and has been adamant that the information stored on its devices be accessible only to the people that own them.Thomas Brewster, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
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Despite the abuse Drea and her kids have experienced, the mother of three is adamant about keeping her ex-husband’s last name.Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Playing the stony henchman who very gradually emits flickers of affection for his reluctant mark has brought the actor, already famous in his motherland, international visibility and a place in the awards conversation.Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Dec. 2024
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But some people encounter my stony glare and ask if the sun is bothering me.Sarah Garfinkel, The New Yorker, 26 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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His refusal to take his daughters seriously—which stems from his steadfast commitment to his own beliefs—leads them to mistrust him in turn, creating a grim, seemingly unbreakable cycle.Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 8 Dec. 2024
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In The Ride of a Lifetime, Iger recounts facing political tensions in China and creative conflicts with George Lucas, requiring steadfast composure, patience, stamina, and strategic thinking.Julian Hayes II, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near obdurate
Cite this Entry
“Obdurate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obdurate. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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