Word: obstinate (adjective)

Associations

The word "obstinate" describes someone who is very stubborn and refuses to change their mind or behavior, even when there are good reasons to do so. It often has a negative meaning, suggesting that the person is unreasonable or difficult.

• He was obstinate about not apologizing, even though he knew he was wrong. Here, it shows refusal to admit a mistake.
• The child was obstinate and would not eat any vegetables. This means the child strongly refuses to eat.
• Despite the evidence, she remained obstinate in her opinion. This means she would not change her mind.

A well-known synonym is "stubborn." The difference is subtle: "obstinate" often sounds a bit stronger and more negative, implying a fixed and unreasonable refusal to change, while "stubborn" can sometimes be used in a more neutral or even positive sense (like being determined).

Substitution

You can replace "obstinate" with:

• stubborn (very similar meaning)
• inflexible (more formal, suggests unwillingness to change)
• unyielding (stronger, more formal, suggests firmness)
• pigheaded (informal, more negative and rude)

Each substitute changes the tone slightly. For example, "pigheaded" sounds more insulting than "obstinate."

Deconstruction

"Obstinate" comes from Latin "obstinatus," which means "firmly set" or "determined." It has the root "obstin-" related to standing firm, plus the suffix "-ate," which forms adjectives. So, it literally means someone who stands firmly in their position.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you or someone you know was obstinate? What was the situation?
• How might being obstinate be helpful in some cases? When might it be a problem?
• How would you describe the difference between being stubborn and being obstinate based on your experience?