adamant

[ ad-uh-muhnt, -mant ]

adjective

1. utterly unyielding in attitude or opinion in spite of all appeals, urgings, etc.

   Synonyms: uncompromising, rigid, inflexible

   Antonyms: yielding, easygoing, flexible

2. too hard to cut, break, or pierce.

noun

1. any impenetrably or unyieldingly hard substance.
2. a legendary stone of impenetrable hardness, formerly sometimes identified with the diamond.

adamant

/ ˈædəmənt /

adjective

1. unshakable in purpose, determination, or opinion; unyielding
2. a less common word for adamantine

noun

1. any extremely hard or apparently unbreakable substance
2. a legendary stone said to be impenetrable, often identified with the diamond or loadstone

Derived Forms

• ˈadamantly, adverb

Other Word Forms

• ad·a·man·cy [ad, -, uh, -m, uh, n-see], ad·a·mance noun
• ad·a·mant·ly adverb
• un·ad·a·mant adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of adamant¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English, from Old French adamaunt, from Latin adamant- (stem of adamas ) “hard metal (perhaps steel), diamond,” from Greek, equivalent to a- a- ⁶ + -damant- verbal adjective of damân “to tame, conquer”; replacing Old English athamans (from Medieval Latin ) and Middle English aymont, from Middle French aimant, from unattested Vulgar Latin adimant-, from Latin

Word History and Origins

Origin of adamant¹

Old English: from Latin adamant-, stem of adamas, from Greek; literal meaning perhaps: unconquerable, from a- ¹+ daman to tame, conquer

Example Sentences

Johnson was adamant that he helped keep the firm solvent.

From Los Angeles Times

In recent days, President Trump has been adamant that the tariffs will be "reciprocal" and the US will be "nicer" to its trade partners.

From BBC

Cal Fire is adamant the hazard maps have no direct effect on residents’ insurance rates, saying they model hazard — the chance of an area experiencing wildfire — not the risk of specific homes burning down.

From Los Angeles Times

Jim Smith, defending Andrew Roberts, said his client was adamant that Elev8 was not simply set up to further the conspiracy but had also been doing legitimate work.

From BBC

Those in government are adamant, though, that the numbers - which are rising fast - of claimants and the amount being spent by government are simply unsustainable.

From BBC

Related Words

• determined
• insistent
• intransigent
• resolute
• rigid
• stubborn
• uncompromising