obdurate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obdurate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is stubbornly refusing to change their opinion or course of action. Example: "Despite the overwhelming evidence against his argument, he remained obdurate in his beliefs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both teams have had their chances but Algeria are undeniably the more obdurate of the two defences on show at the moment.

The Guardian - Sport

Instead an obdurate prime minister has spewed out incendiary rhetoric that sparked anger among the tens of thousands of mostly young people taking to the streets across the country to show solidarity with Taksim.

The Economist

The third is reported to be one of the co-leaders of the weekend's demonstrations, the head of the National Front, Dr Karim Samjabi, who only last week publicly restated his refusal to take part in any government under what he described as the "illegal monarchy .Related items From the archive: The coming of an obdurate messiahFeb 3rd 1979The speedy revival of talks with the Shah was no surprise.

The Economist

Angola and Congo have formed a joint company to exploit Congo's oil.But now there are signs that Angola is getting fed up with Mr Kabila's obdurate refusal to co-operate with his saviours.

The Economist

THERE has been a good deal of discussion lately between journalists and political scientists concerning, on one side, political journalists' dogged ignorance of relevant findings in political science and, on the other side, political scientists' obdurate refusal to make their work accessible or practically useful.

The Economist

It was he who adjusted it, or corralled it, to the needs of the obdurate, cranky, noisy Linotype machines which then printed almost everything in America.

The Economist

These would punish Mr Kibaki's more obdurate ministers and backers, while sparing poorer Kenyans from the effects of general trade and aid sanctions.

The Economist

He has provided the North with unconditional aid, but the communist regime there has remained obdurate.

The Economist

Nonetheless, faced with Mr Chirac's pre-summit offensive, Mr Blair has been forced to adopt Wellington's tactics at Waterloo: the obdurate defence of a red line.

The Economist

Despite his two-state utterance, Mr Netanyahu sounds as obdurate as ever.

The Economist

One of the port's plans is therefore to build a new, better and closer railway yard.If you ask Mr Baker, this is where the problem becomes vintage Californian in its obdurate and litigious bureaucracy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obdurate" to describe someone who is stubbornly resistant to reason or persuasion, particularly when you want to emphasize their unwillingness to change despite compelling arguments or evidence.

Common error

Don't use "obdurate" simply to mean stubborn. "Obdurate" implies a hardened resistance to persuasion, suggesting the person is not just unwilling, but actively refuses to yield to reason or empathy.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "obdurate" primarily functions to describe a person or entity that is stubbornly resistant to influence or persuasion. Ludwig's examples show it is often used to characterize those who are unwilling to change their views or actions, even in the face of compelling evidence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Encyclopedias

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Academic

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "obdurate" is an adjective used to describe someone stubbornly resistant to persuasion or influence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. The word appears frequently in News & Media and Encyclopedias, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When choosing alternatives, consider "stubborn", "unyielding", or "inflexible" to vary your language. Remember that "obdurate" implies a hardened resistance, not just simple stubbornness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unyielding

Emphasizes inflexibility and resistance to change.

stubborn

Highlights a strong-willed refusal to alter one's stance.

inflexible

Focuses on a lack of adaptability or willingness to compromise.

intransigent

Stresses an uncompromising and often defiant attitude.

adamant

Indicates a firm and unwavering resolve.

resolute

Highlights a determined and unwavering commitment.

determined

Focuses on a strong will to achieve a specific goal, despite obstacles.

unwavering

Emphasizes steadfastness and a lack of hesitation.

tenacious

Suggests a persistent and determined hold on a belief or position.

pertinacious

Implies a stubborn persistence, often in the face of opposition.

FAQs

How to use "obdurate" in a sentence?

The word "obdurate" is used to describe someone who is stubbornly refusing to change their opinion or course of action. For instance, "Despite the overwhelming evidence against his argument, he remained "obdurate" in his beliefs."

What can I say instead of "obdurate"?

You can use alternatives like "stubborn", "unyielding", or "inflexible" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "obdurate" or "obstinate"?

Both "obdurate" and "obstinate" imply stubbornness, but "obdurate" suggests a hardened resistance to persuasion, while "obstinate" simply means stubbornly adhering to one's opinion or course of action.

What's the difference between "obdurate" and "adamant"?

"Obdurate" implies a refusal to be persuaded or influenced, often associated with a lack of empathy, while "adamant" suggests a firm and unwavering resolve, not necessarily implying a rejection of reason.