obdurate

adjective ob·du·rate \ˈäb-də-rət, -dyə-; äb-ˈdu̇r-ət, əb-, -ˈdyu̇r-\

: refusing to do what other people want : not willing to change your opinion or the way you do something

Full Definition of OBDURATE

a : stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing

b : hardened in feelings

: resistant to persuasion or softening influences

— ob·du·rate·ly adverb

— ob·du·rate·ness noun

See obdurate defined for English-language learners

See obdurate defined for kids

Origin of OBDURATE

Middle English, from Latin obduratus, past participle of obdurare to harden, from ob- against + durus hard — more at during

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to OBDURATE

Synonyms: affectless, callous, case-hardened, cold-blooded, compassionless, desensitized, hard-boiled, hard-hearted, heartless, indurate, inhuman, inhumane, insensate, insensitive, ironhearted, merciless, hard, pachydermatous, pitiless, remorseless, ruthless, slash-and-burn, soulless, stony (also stoney), stonyhearted, take-no-prisoners, thick-skinned, uncharitable, unfeeling, unmerciful, unsparing, unsympathetic

Antonyms: charitable, compassionate, humane, kindhearted, kindly, merciful, sensitive, softhearted, sympathetic, tender, tenderhearted, warm, warmhearted

Synonym Discussion of OBDURATE

inflexible, obdurate, adamant mean unwilling to alter a predetermined course or purpose. inflexible implies rigid adherence or even slavish conformity to principle <inflexible in their demands>. obdurate stresses hardness of heart and insensitivity to appeals for mercy or the influence of divine grace <obdurate in his refusal to grant clemency>. adamant implies utter immovability in the face of all temptation or entreaty <adamant that the work should continue>.

Rhymes with OBDURATE

indurate

Learn More About OBDURATE

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "obdurate"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "obdurate"

Nglish: Translation of "obdurate" for Spanish speakers

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: obdure (verb)Previous Word in the Dictionary: obduracyAll Words Near: obdurate

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up obdurate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

View Seen & Heard Highlights from Around the Site