Word
obstinate
Phoneticsob·sti·nate, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɑbstənət/
UK/ˈɒbstɪnˌeɪt/
Definitions
01stubborn person
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. refusing to change your mind or your ideas, even when you are wrong.
adj. stubbornly adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course of action, often despite reason or persuasion.
“He was too obstinate to admit that he had taken the wrong road.”
“The negotiator faced an obstinate opponent who refused to make even the slightest concession regarding the new contract terms.”
Synonyms
02difficult to remove
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. used to describe a problem or a physical thing that is very hard to fix or get rid of.
adj. describing inanimate objects or conditions that are resistant to treatment, removal, or control.
“The cleaner struggled to remove the obstinate stain from the white carpet.”
“The patient suffered from an obstinate infection that failed to respond to several different courses of standard antibiotics.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03fixed expression
C2 · Proficiency Literary
adj. describing a face or look that shows someone is determined not to change their mind.
adj. referring to a facial feature or expression that is fixed, unmoving, and indicative of a stubborn nature.
“She stared at him with an obstinate look, her jaw set tight.”
“There was an obstinate set to his chin that warned his colleagues he would not be easily swayed by their emotional appeals.”
Real-World Examples
“When, midway through the film, an obstinate craftsman has to be fired, we learn of it via the team meeting that follows and the offending employee is never referred to by name.” “Where Cumming has a puppyish enthusiasm – bounding out of a morose heartbreak soundtracked by Radiohead – Henderson is variously obstinate, contrary and funny.” Etymology
Inherited from Middle English obstinat(e) (“obstinate, stubborn”), from Latin obstinātus, perfect passive participle of obstinō (“set one's mind firmly upon, resolve”) (see -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from ob (“before”) + *stinare, from stare (“to stand”). Doublet of ostinato.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/obstinate