Word
obstinate
Meanings
Refusing to change your mind, attitude, or actions; stubborn.
Difficult to move, remove, or solve; stubbornly persistent (often about problems).
Definition
Obstinate means refusing to change your mind or behavior, even when it would be sensible to do so.
If someone is obstinate, they stick to their own opinion or plan and do not easily listen to advice. They may keep doing something the same way even when it causes problems. The word often suggests stubbornness that makes cooperation difficult.
Examples
- He was obstinate about leaving early, even after we explained the risks.
- The obstinate child refused to put on his coat.
- She stayed obstinate during the negotiation and would not compromise.
- We faced an obstinate leak that kept coming back after repairs.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse obstinate with ambitious, but obstinate means stubborn and unwilling to change, not strongly motivated to succeed.
More adjectives
- agnostic An agnostic is someone who does not claim to know whether God exists.
- pragmatic Pragmatic means focused on practical results rather than ideals or theories.
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- cynical Cynical describes believing that people are mainly motivated by self-interest and not sincere.
- apathetic Apathetic means showing little or no interest, concern, or enthusiasm.