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adj

obstinate

OB-stih-nuht
adj
1
Refusing to change one's opinion or course of action, often unreasonably so.
"He was too obstinate to admit he'd taken the wrong turn."
"The obstinate stain wouldn't come out no matter what she tried."

How to Use Obstinate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishStubbornly sticking to a position, even when it's unreasonable.

Easily confused with
abstinent
Common pairings
obstinate refusal remain obstinate obstinate stain

Word Forms

more obstinate comparative, most obstinate superlative

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He was too _____ to admit he'd taken the wrong turn.

Etymology

From Latin obstinatus, past participle of obstinare, "to set one's mind firmly on something", from ob- plus stare, "to stand".

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Rhymes for obstinate

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial