Definition
Obstinate refers to a person’s stubborn and inflexible attitude, unwillingness to change one’s mind or behavior, and adherence to one’s own ideas or opinions despite evidence to the contrary.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of Speech
adjective
Synonyms
stubborn, inflexible, headstrong, unyielding, bullheaded, determined, dogged, persistent, resolved, resolute, strong-willed.
Antonyms
compliant, flexible, pliable, adaptable, amenable, cooperative, yielding, tractable, persuadable, open-minded, willing.
Word Forms
| Part of Speech | Words |
|---|---|
| Noun | obstinances, obstinance |
| Verb | obstinate |
| Adjective | obstinate |
| Adverb | obstinately |
Example Sentences
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Despite being presented with evidence that his hypothesis was incorrect, the obstinate scientist refused to consider an alternative explanation.
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Her obstinate refusal to compromise made it impossible to reach a resolution to the conflict.
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The politician was praised for his obstinate determination to see the controversial bill passed, despite opposition from his colleagues.
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Because of his obstinate belief that he was always right, he often struggled in his personal and professional relationships.
Usage
The word ‘obstinate’ is commonly used to describe a person’s personality or behavior, particularly when they exhibit an unreasonable amount of stubbornness in sticking to their beliefs or opinions. It can be traced back to its Latin root ‘obstinatus’, meaning ‘resolute’, which implies a high degree of steadfastness and determination in one’s actions.
The word can also be modified with prefixes and suffixes to create variations in meaning. For example, the prefix ‘un-’ can be added to make ‘unobstinate’, which means ’not stubborn’ or ’easily persuaded’. Conversely, the suffix ‘-ness’ can be added to the end of the word to form ‘obstinateness’, which refers to the degree or quality of being obstinate.
The term ‘obstinate’ can also be used in a more general sense to describe anything that is difficult to change or overcome. For instance, an obstinate stain on a piece of fabric may be difficult to remove, while an obstinate problem may be resistant to solution despite attempts to solve it.
In summary, the word ‘obstinate’ is a descriptive term that can be used to highlight a person’s stubborn nature or difficult-to-change attitude. Its Latin root and variations in prefix and suffix usage allow for a nuanced understanding of its meaning and scope of application.