1
as in ruthless
having or showing a lack of sympathy or tender feelings
the obdurate refusal of the crotchety old man to let the neighborhood kids retrieve their stray ball from his backyard
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stubborn
sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
an obdurate farmer who could never be convinced to try a different method of fertilization
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obdurate
Over the next several hundred million years, terrestrial plants of all kinds profoundly altered the planet, accelerating the water cycle, turning obdurate crust into supple soil—and pushing the level of atmospheric oxygen to new heights.
—
Ferris Jabr, The Atlantic, 25 June 2024
To Matthew and Rachelle, who by now had become attuned to the obdurate implacability of British authorities, the coroner’s response was maddening: this was their final opportunity to ascertain the truth.
—Patrick Radden Keefe, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024
Regina Hall came down with pneumonia while shooting Girls Trip, the irreverent 2017 comedy from Will Packer, a savant who repeatedly has shown an obdurate Hollywood that Black movies can mint money at the box office.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Jan. 2024
By the spring of 1945, with Germany defeated, the Allies turned to an obdurate Japan.
—Peter Englund, Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for obdurate
Ferris Jabr, The Atlantic, 25 June 2024
To Matthew and Rachelle, who by now had become attuned to the obdurate implacability of British authorities, the coroner’s response was maddening: this was their final opportunity to ascertain the truth.
—Patrick Radden Keefe, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024
Regina Hall came down with pneumonia while shooting Girls Trip, the irreverent 2017 comedy from Will Packer, a savant who repeatedly has shown an obdurate Hollywood that Black movies can mint money at the box office.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Jan. 2024
By the spring of 1945, with Germany defeated, the Allies turned to an obdurate Japan.
—Peter Englund, Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for obdurate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obdurate
Adjective
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Russo, who has avoided serious injury and is set to return to play for Arsenal this month, is an out-and-out centre-forward, a grafter who uses her strength to take care of the ball and stitch play, but is also becoming a more ruthless penalty-box striker.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
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The way to move up in your organization might require being ruthless.—
Roberta Matuson,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Despite growing consternation and concern expressed by economists and CEOs, Trump administration officials have been stubborn in defending its trade policies.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2025
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Ocasio-Cortez might have a good shot at cracking that stubborn nut.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The straightforward task rapidly devolves into a perilous game of cat and mouse, when the merciless leader of a notorious crime syndicate sets his sights on claiming the organ for himself.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2025
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The counterpoint to Pritzker’s light touch on Schumer is Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has been merciless in her disapproval of Schumer’s decision.—
Philip Elliott,
TIME,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Paul has been adamant that the tariffs won’t help the U.S. His frustration with the tariffs came as seven GOP senators signed on to a bipartisan bill that sought to have Congressional oversight over the president’s tariffs.—
Lauren Irwin,
The Hill,
9 Apr. 2025
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The 12-time Emmy award-winner was also adamant about sharing her cancer journey with her audience—hoping that her experience might offer support and guidance to others facing similar challenges.—
Joanne Fowler,
People.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The region's cool climate, high diurnal temperature range, and stony, well-draining soils are ideal for enhancing the aromatic profile and maintaining the grape’s natural acidity.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
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Stein derives from the word stone in German and refers to the stony soils found in this vineyard.—
Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen,
Robb Report,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Despite the shifting sands in the content marketplace, Mayer assured the crowd of industry insiders that Blackrock remains steadfast in its Candle investment.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2025
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Despite growing exhaustion, Booker remained steadfast, sustaining himself with only water as his voice grew stronger with emotion.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obdurate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obdurate. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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