Obdurate
/ˈɑb.dʊr.ət/
adjectiveC2
Definition
Obdurate describes a person or their attitude when they are very firm and do not change their opinion or feelings, even if they should. It often means being stubborn in a way that seems hard or cold, not showing kindness or understanding.
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See It in Action
Very stubborn and refusing to change opinion or feelings
- •Despite the advice, he remained obdurate and would not change his decision.
- •The obdurate child refused to say sorry even after being told many times.
- •She was obdurate in her refusal to forgive him.
Showing no kindness or sympathy; hardhearted
- •The judge was obdurate and gave the harshest sentence.
- •His obdurate attitude made it difficult for others to work with him.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "obdurate" like "stubborn" (A2 word), but much stronger and colder—like a rock that does not move no matter what
- ✓Picture a big stone wall that does not break or change shape, no matter how hard the wind or rain tries
- ✓It's the feeling when someone refuses to forgive or listen, even if it would help or be kind
- ✓Sounds like "OB-door-ate" → imagine a heavy door that is locked tight and will not open no matter how much you push
- ✓Think of a character in a story who never changes their mind, even when they see others are right or when it hurts them
- ✓NOT like "flexible" (easy to change)—obdurate means very hard and fixed in place
- ✓NOT like "stubborn" in a small way—obdurate is very strong and often shows no kindness or feeling
- ✓NOT like "determined" (positive strong will)—obdurate is negative, meaning refusing to listen or change even when wrong
Try Other Words
- •Stubborn: refusing to change (Use when the refusal is strong but not very cold or harsh)
- •Unyielding: not giving in (Use when emphasizing firmness without kindness)
- •Hardhearted: not showing feelings or kindness (Use when the focus is on lack of sympathy)
- •Inflexible: not able to change or adapt (Use when talking about unwillingness to change ideas or plans)
Unboxing
- •Prefix "ob-" means "against" or "toward"
- •Root "dur" comes from Latin "durus" meaning "hard"
- •Suffix "-ate" forms an adjective describing a quality
- •Origin: From Latin "obduratus," past participle of "obdurare" meaning "to harden against"
- •First used in English in the 1600s to describe someone hardened in mind or feelings
- •Today, it is used to describe people or attitudes that are very stubborn or hard and unkind
Reflect & Connect
•Can being obdurate ever be a good thing? When might firmness help rather than hurt?
•How do you feel when someone you know is obdurate? Does it make communication easier or harder?
Fill in the blanks
1.He remained obdurate ___ the clear evidence that he was wrong.
2.An obdurate person often finds it difficult to ___ advice or new ideas.
3.The manager's obdurate refusal to listen caused ___ problems in the team.
4.Unlike flexible people, obdurate individuals do not ___ their opinions easily.
5.The phrase "obdurate heart" means someone who does not ___ to feelings or kindness.
6.When someone is obdurate, they usually ___ change even when it would be better.
7.The politician was criticized for his obdurate stance ___ peace talks.