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Synonym Chooser

How is the word obdurate different from other adjectives like it?

The words adamant and inflexible are common synonyms of obdurate. While all three words mean "unwilling to alter a predetermined course or purpose," obdurate stresses hardness of heart and insensitivity to appeals for mercy or the influence of divine grace.

obdurate in his refusal to grant clemency

When can adamant be used instead of obdurate?

The words adamant and obdurate can be used in similar contexts, but adamant implies utter immovability in the face of all temptation or entreaty.

adamant that the work should continue

Where would inflexible be a reasonable alternative to obdurate?

While the synonyms inflexible and obdurate are close in meaning, inflexible implies rigid adherence or even slavish conformity to principle.

inflexible in their demands

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 obdurate Over the next several hundred million years, terrestrial plants of all kinds profoundly altered the planet, accelerating the water cycle, turning obdurate crust into supple soil—and pushing the level of atmospheric oxygen to new heights. Ferris Jabr, The Atlantic, 25 June 2024 To Matthew and Rachelle, who by now had become attuned to the obdurate implacability of British authorities, the coroner’s response was maddening: this was their final opportunity to ascertain the truth. Patrick Radden Keefe, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024 Regina Hall came down with pneumonia while shooting Girls Trip, the irreverent 2017 comedy from Will Packer, a savant who repeatedly has shown an obdurate Hollywood that Black movies can mint money at the box office. Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Jan. 2024 By the spring of 1945, with Germany defeated, the Allies turned to an obdurate Japan. Peter Englund, Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2023 See all Example Sentences for obdurate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obdurate
Adjective
  • Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone are delicious as the two ruthless favorites of the monarch, who try to outmaneuver each other at all costs.
    Radhika Seth, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2025
  • The ruthless brutality by Iraq and Iran displayed the lengths to which the region’s governments were willing to go to silence the Kurds.
    Sefa Secen & Serhun Al / Made by History, TIME, 7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • America’s stubborn division was reflected at the nation on the largest stage possible.
    Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Feb. 2025
  • The telescope now named for her will help unravel the stubborn mystery surrounding it.
    Jeffrey Kluger/Greenbelt, TIME, 8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The temptation is too much for a merciless monarch to resist and she's briefed on the details of the team's counter-terrorism assignment.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 23 Jan. 2025
  • The merciless flames left gardeners, caregivers, domestic workers, child care providers and others without the tools needed to do their jobs.
    Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The arbitration ruling is vindication of sorts for the buyers, who have been adamant over the past year that Taylor was delaying the inevitable.
    Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 10 Feb. 2025
  • Head coach Leon Rice was adamant his team would heat up from three, but the 3-point shooting remained spotty.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Needless to say, the comments were met with a stony silence in Europe, and were the strongest signal yet of a widening ideological and geopolitical rift between the two powers since President Donald Trump came to power.
    Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 15 Feb. 2025
  • Next up, Moss-Bachrach will portray the stony disposition (both literally and figuratively) of Ben Grimm, a.k.a.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Amid recent efforts to challenge, or in some cases, completely erase the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), the National Football League (NFL) remains steadfast in its commitment to embracing and celebrating all people.
    John Lawson, Essence, 10 Feb. 2025
  • Universal Music Group has remained steadfast in their claims that there was no foul play involved with the record and its popularity was simply, organically due to the quality of the song.
    Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 10 Feb. 2025

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Thesaurus Entries Near obdurate

Cite this Entry

“Obdurate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obdurate. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

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