obstinate
57 synonyms and 5 antonyms for obstinate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Refusing to change one's opinion or course of action, often unreasonably so.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
pertinacious
bent on
bullheaded
diehard
dogged
hard-hearted
hard-nosed
hardheaded
headstrong
immovable
incalcitrant
inflexible
irrefragable
insistent
intractable
intransigent
intrepid
inveterate
mulish
obdurate
obstreperous
peevish
peremptory
pigheaded
recalcitrant
refractory
resolute
self-willed
stalwart
staunch
steadfast
stubborn as a mule
sullen
tenacious
thran
thwart
truculent
unbending
uncompromising
unyielding
vehement
wilful
willful
Antonyms
How to use obstinate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
obstinate refusal
remain obstinate
obstinate stain
Etymology
From Latin obstinatus, past participle of obstinare, "to set one's mind firmly on something", from ob- plus stare, "to stand".
Full origin of obstinate →Frequently asked questions
What does “obstinate” mean?
The word “obstinate” means refusing to change one's opinion or course of action, often unreasonably so. In plain terms, stubbornly sticking to a position, even when it's unreasonable.
How do you pronounce “obstinate”?
“Obstinate” is pronounced OB-stih-nuht (/ˈɑb.stə.nət/ in IPA).
How do you use “obstinate” in a sentence?
Here is “obstinate” used in a sentence: “He was too obstinate to admit he'd taken the wrong turn.”
What is another word for “obstinate”?
Words with a similar meaning to “obstinate” include persistent, stubborn, pertinacious, adamant, ardent and grim.
What is the opposite of “obstinate”?
The opposite of “obstinate” — its antonyms — are compromising, transigent, flexible, sycophantic and yielding.
What part of speech is “obstinate”?
“Obstinate” is an adjective.
Where does the word “obstinate” come from?
The word “obstinate” comes from Latin. From Latin obstinatus, past participle of obstinare, "to set one's mind firmly on something", from ob- plus stare, "to stand".
