Meaning & use
obstinate
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Refusing to change your mind or behavior even when others give good reasons.
Grammar: Before a noun or after a verb: an obstinate child; he is obstinate about it.
Patterns
- obstinate about something
- obstinate in doing something
The obstinate old man refused to see a doctor.
She was obstinate about leaving her old car.
His obstinate silence annoyed everyone.
adjectivebefore a noun
Hard to treat or remove, such as a stain or a problem.
Grammar: Before a noun; for things.
The obstinate stain would not come out.
An obstinate cough lasted weeks.
Word forms
| comparative | more obstinate |
|---|---|
| superlative | most obstinate |
Common combinations
- obstinate refusal
- Their obstinate refusal blocked a deal.
- obstinate child
- An obstinate child.
- obstinate about
- He is obstinate about the plan.
- obstinately refuse
- She obstinately refused.
Synonyms and how they differ
- stubborn
- The everyday word, slightly less harsh.
- headstrong
- Stresses doing what you want despite advice.
- pigheaded
- Informal and more insulting.
- inflexible
- Neutral about attitude but not able to adapt.
Opposites
Word family
- obstinacy noun
- stubbornness
- obstinately adverb
- in a stubborn way
Commonly confused: obstinate or obstacle?
obstinate vs obstacle
An obstacle is something blocking the way, not a stubborn attitude.
Practice
Despite clear evidence, he remained ___ and would not change his decision.
Choose one answer.
Obstinate means refusing to change. Hesitant means unsure, which is not the same as refusing.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “obstinate”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.