obstinacy

noun

ob·​sti·​na·​cy ˈäb-stə-nə-sē How to pronounce obstinacy (audio)
plural obstinacies
1
a
: the quality or state of being obstinate : stubbornness
She held to her own opinion with great obstinacy.
b
: the quality or state of being difficult to remedy, relieve, or subdue
the obstinacy of tuberculosis
2
: an instance of being obstinate
irritated by the senator's obstinacies

Examples of obstinacy in a Sentence

the mindless obstinacy of those people who continue to insist that the earth is flat
Recent Examples on the Web In 2015, their nuclear perseverance and obstinacy even compelled Barack Obama to sign an agreement accepting Iran’s status as a nuclear-threshold state, i.e., a state that can assemble a weapon in short order. Christian Schneider, National Review, 21 Dec. 2023 Christie has been an immovable object, resisting all entreaties with characteristic obstinacy and swearing to remain in the race until New Hampshire. Varad Mehta, Washington Examiner, 28 Dec. 2023 This repetitiveness, this obstinacy, is a distinctive feature of Ellroy’s writing. Parul Sehgal, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2023 Just as abuse victims are often ignored unless there’s a photo or video of their trauma, Rubiales’ crudeness and obstinacy has swung public opinion in favor of the Spanish players and, by extension, other women in the game. Nancy Armour, USA TODAY, 25 Aug. 2023 Dulles’s obstinacy meant that Downey became the longest-serving American prisoner of war in history. Jane Perlez, Foreign Affairs, 28 Feb. 2023 One day after The Hollywood Reporter published an examination of a private equity giant’s obstinacy about picketing at its studio lot amid the ongoing actors and writers strike, the company has relented, according to a protest leader. Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 July 2023 Your success there depends on your rapport with her, her ability to navigate her husband’s obstinacy and his willingness to accept business advice from his spouse. Karla L. Miller, Washington Post, 27 July 2023 But the combination of older Barry’s reasoning and younger Barry’s excitable obstinacy inevitably reawakens Batman’s belief in justice and gains them access to the dusty wonders of the Batcave. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'obstinacy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of obstinacy was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near obstinacy

Cite this Entry

“Obstinacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obstinacy. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

obstinacy

noun
ob·​sti·​na·​cy ˈäb-stə-nə-sē How to pronounce obstinacy (audio)
: the quality or state of being obstinate

Medical Definition

obstinacy

noun
ob·​sti·​na·​cy ˈäb-stə-nə-sē How to pronounce obstinacy (audio)
plural obstinacies
: the quality or state of being obstinate
the obstinacy of tuberculosis

More from Merriam-Webster on obstinacy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!