1
Refuse to change an opinion
Maintain a view despite compelling counterevidence.
Example
The director remained obstinate even after the trial exposed serious flaws.
obstinate
/ˈɒbstɪnət/ · OB-stih-nuhtadjective
Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion, course, or behaviour.
Use obstinate when resistance to change continues despite strong reasons, evidence, or practical need.
What obstinate Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Resist cooperation
Persistently refuse a reasonable request or compromise.
Example
An obstinate minority blocked every proposed schedule.
3
Difficult to remove or solve
Resist repeated attempts at treatment or correction.
Example
The restoration team confronted an obstinate stain.
Use obstinate Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The director remained obstinate even after the trial exposed serious flaws.
An obstinate minority blocked every proposed schedule.
The restoration team confronted an obstinate stain.
Precision Matters
Obstinate overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
obstinate
vs.Usually judges the firmness as unreasonable.
adamant
Means firmly unyielding and can be neutral or approving.
obstinate
vs.Refuses to change.
capricious
Changes unpredictably.
obstinate
vs.Clings to a position despite practical evidence.
pragmatic
Adjusts according to realistic results.
obstinate
vs.Resists compromise.
reconcile
Brings opposing positions into agreement.
Test obstinate in Context
The refusal to change persists despite strong contrary evidence.
1
Despite repeated tests showing that the method introduced errors, the manager remained ___ and refused to consider any alternative.
Precision Check
Every option below is a real distinction for one of obstinate’s near-synonyms. Choose the one that belongs to adamant.
2
Which distinction belongs to “adamant”?