obstinacy
noun
ob·sti·na·cy
ˈäb-stə-nə-sē 
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
Synonyms
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
The Korean experience also suggests that the obstinacy of Russian President Vladimir Putin—who, like Stalin, seems averse to compromise of any kind—could be especially obstructive.
—
Carter Malkasian, Foreign Affairs, 20 June 2023
People talk a lot about artificial intelligence but not enough about artificial obstinacy.
—David Brooks, The Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for obstinacy 
Carter Malkasian, Foreign Affairs, 20 June 2023
People talk a lot about artificial intelligence but not enough about artificial obstinacy.
—David Brooks, The Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for obstinacy
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.
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Cite this Entry
“Obstinacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obstinacy. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
obstinacy
noun
ob·sti·na·cy
ˈäb-stə-nə-sē
: the quality or state of being obstinate
Medical Definition
obstinacy
noun
ob·sti·na·cy
ˈäb-stə-nə-sē
plural obstinacies
: the quality or state of being obstinate
the obstinacy of tuberculosis
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