obstinacy

[ ob-stuh-nuh-see ]

/ ˈɒb stə nə si /

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See synonyms for obstinacy on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural ob·sti·na·cies for 5.

the quality or state of being obstinate; stubbornness.

unyielding or stubborn adherence to one's purpose, opinion, etc.

stubborn persistence: The garrison fought on with incredible obstinacy.

resistance to cure, relief, or treatment, as a disease.

an instance of being obstinate; an obstinate act, viewpoint, etc.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of obstinacy

1350–1400; Middle English <Medieval Latin obstinātia, derivative of Latin obstinātus (see obstinate); see -cy

Words nearby obstinacy

obstacle race, obstet., obstetric, obstetrician, obstetrics, obstinacy, obstinate, obstipation, obstreperous, obstruct, obstruction

How to use obstinacy in a sentence

Something about this year’s negotiation has reinvigorated an obstinacy that used to define these negotiations every five years.
Baseball is stuck, and time is running out|Chelsea Janes|February 27, 2022|Washington Post
No, to find obstinacy like this, you have to go back, yes, to the pre-Civil War era.
What’s Really Obstructing Obamacare? GOP Resisters|Michael Tomasky|November 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
"This is foolishness," Reid said after the vote of the continued obstinacy.
Republicans Filibuster Hagel Nomination|Ali Gharib|February 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
We need your opposition, your obstinacy rather than a united Europe.
German Newspaper Tells Britain To Stay in EU Because They Love The Royals|Tom Sykes|January 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST

And it makes the pettiness and obstinacy on display in the U.S. over these negotiations all the more unseemly.
Fiscal Cliff Stalemate Needs Two-Party Solution|Daniel Gross|December 10, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He could start this week by telling Republicans, hey, gang, let's drop the unceasing obstinacy.
Tomorrow's Obama-Romney Lunch|Michael Tomasky|November 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST
This unreasoning, feminine obstinacy so wrought upon him that he permitted himself a smile and a lapse into irony and banter.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
You fancied, perhaps, I would stand haggling with you all night, and yield at last to your obstinacy.
Checkmate|Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
A glorious vision, in which the prophet's lips are cleansed: he foretelleth the obstinacy of the Jews.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
She has an obstinacy and a perseverance in sticking at you that drive you almost wild, but make you learn "lots" in the end.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
He reproaches the Jews for their obstinacy: he will deliver them out of their captivity, for his own name's sake.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various

British Dictionary definitions for obstinacy

obstinacy

/ (ˈɒbstɪnəsɪ) /

noun plural -cies

the state or quality of being obstinate

an obstinate act, attitude, etc

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

obstinacy

Origin of obstinacy

Words nearby obstinacy

Words related to obstinacy

How to use obstinacy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for obstinacy