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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obstinacy
The Korean experience also suggests that the obstinacy of Russian President Vladimir Putin—who, like Stalin, seems averse to compromise of any kind—could be especially obstructive.
—
Carter Malkasian, Foreign Affairs, 20 June 2023
People talk a lot about artificial intelligence but not enough about artificial obstinacy.
—David Brooks, The Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2024
In 2015, their nuclear perseverance and obstinacy even compelled Barack Obama to sign an agreement accepting Iran’s status as a nuclear-threshold state, i.e., a state that can assemble a weapon in short order.
—Christian Schneider, National Review, 21 Dec. 2023
Christie has been an immovable object, resisting all entreaties with characteristic obstinacy and swearing to remain in the race until New Hampshire.
—Varad Mehta, Washington Examiner, 28 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for obstinacy
Carter Malkasian, Foreign Affairs, 20 June 2023
People talk a lot about artificial intelligence but not enough about artificial obstinacy.
—David Brooks, The Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2024
In 2015, their nuclear perseverance and obstinacy even compelled Barack Obama to sign an agreement accepting Iran’s status as a nuclear-threshold state, i.e., a state that can assemble a weapon in short order.
—Christian Schneider, National Review, 21 Dec. 2023
Christie has been an immovable object, resisting all entreaties with characteristic obstinacy and swearing to remain in the race until New Hampshire.
—Varad Mehta, Washington Examiner, 28 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for obstinacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstinacy
Noun
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This late-career emergence as an elite quarterback demonstrated both Gannon's persistence and the impact of finally finding the right organizational fit.—
Omaid Homayun,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Such persistence can pay off in the long run: civil society groups in Bangladesh, South Africa, and Sri Lanka eventually chased out corrupt politicians.—
Elizabeth David-Barrett,
Foreign Affairs,
4 Apr. 2025
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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Given deepening American intransigence and increasing demand from Ukraine, would Turkey put the SAGE 227 into production on Ukraine’s behalf?—
David Axe,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
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Has the president decided his soaring Nielsen ratings are better than a plummeting stock market if there are full-bore tariffs placed on Mexico and Canada because of their intransigence?—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
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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
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Andreas blames the obduracy of U.S. politicians and bureaucrats for the persistence of the drug wars, despite their evident failure and their huge financial and human costs.—
Russell Crandall,
Foreign Affairs,
20 Apr. 2021
Noun
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In recent years it's flown military planes over a corner of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone almost daily to signal its resolve.—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2025
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But, if Forest can hold on to the level of resolve that was typified by the young man from Sao Paulo in the 96th minute of the game, who knows where this journey will end.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
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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
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So for those of us torn between watching the sun get blotted out and getting blotto keeping our attention on a particularly good rock show, this exercise in multi-tasking was a real contest of self-will.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2024
Noun
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Taking on Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena is undoubtedly a tough challenge, one requiring visitors to have a combination of quality, gritty determination and a little luck.—
Adam Digby,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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There are allegations on both sides and no further court determinations to decide who is telling the truth.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obstinacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstinacy. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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