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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Recent Examples of obstinacy
People talk a lot about artificial intelligence but not enough about artificial obstinacy.
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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
This repetitiveness, this obstinacy, is a distinctive feature of Ellroy’s writing.
—Parul Sehgal, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2023
See all Example Sentences for 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
This repetitiveness, this obstinacy, is a distinctive feature of Ellroy’s writing.
—Parul Sehgal, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2023
See all Example Sentences for obstinacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstinacy
Noun
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Now, researchers have taken a fresh look at the club to see what its persistence says about us as a society.Karen Kaplan, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
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The adverse events related to older medications can lead to less patient persistence.Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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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
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Dan recalled of his daughter’s persistency.Eric Sondheimer Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2020
Noun
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The predictably tepid response to their plans in Ukraine and the West also fits into narratives of Western intransigence, a key Russian talking point, as if the West that (allegedly) caused the war in the first place is prolonging and exploiting it to weaken Russia.Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024
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What preoccupies her, and other fair-election advocates, is the possibility that the intransigence of a small number of election officials could cause confusion, strife, and possibly violence once the polls close on November 5th.Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2024
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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Once the symptoms of chickenpox resolve, the virus stays in your body in a latent state—meaning the virus is alive but does not cause symptoms.Carrie Madormo, RN, Health, 3 Nov. 2024
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The official media outlet said leader Kim Jong Un observed the launch, describing it as an expression of North Korea's resolve to respond to external threats to North Korea's security.HYUNG-JIN KIM AND KIM TONG-HYUNG THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 2 Nov. 2024
Noun
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In 2022, the Electoral Count Reform Act, passed with bipartisan support, strengthened the original act by creating a system of judicial oversight, in which courts have the final say on the lawful counting of votes and determination of a slate of electors.Jenna Bednar, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024
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Explaining the realities of decarbonizing to less expert audiences with strongly held views takes determination, patience and leadership.Dean Donovan, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near obstinacy
Cite this Entry
“Obstinacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstinacy. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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