obdurate

[ ob-doo-rit, -dyoo- ]

adjective

1. unmoved by persuasion, pity, or tender feelings; stubborn; unyielding.

   Synonyms: inflexible, unbending, callous, obstinate, hard

   Antonyms: tractable, soft

2. stubbornly resistant to moral influence; persistently impenitent:

   an obdurate sinner.

   Synonyms: shameless, reprobate, unregenerate

   Antonyms: repentant, humble

obdurate

/ ˈɒbdjʊrɪt /

adjective

1. not easily moved by feelings or supplication; hardhearted
2. impervious to persuasion, esp to moral persuasion

Derived Forms

• ˈobdurately, adverb
• ˈobduracy, noun

Other Words From

• obdu·rate·ly adverb
• obdu·rate·ness noun
• un·obdu·rate adjective
• un·obdu·rate·ly adverb
• un·obdu·rate·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of obdurate¹

1400–50; late Middle English obdurat < Latin obdūrātus (past participle of obdūrāre to harden), equivalent to ob- ob- + dūr ( us ) hard + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of obdurate¹

C15: from Latin obdūrāre to make hard, from ob- (intensive) + dūrus hard; compare endure

Example Sentences

Yet instead of scaling back their political ambitions in the face of an obdurate reality, they are escalating them.

From The Daily Beast

Supporters of the president will rally, but opponents of the president will become more obdurate.

From The Daily Beast

It happened because of massive and obdurate resistance to reasonable change.

From The Daily Beast

We tried to reason with him, but he became increasingly obdurate.

From The Daily Beast

And is it possible that the Doa can be obdurate to such irresistible attractions?

From Project Gutenberg

Still, the Prince foresaw the future, and appealed to the Emperor himself, but the Emperor was obdurate.

From Project Gutenberg

Many of these pipes are sculptured from the most obdurate stones and display great delicacy of workmanship.

From Project Gutenberg

The old woman meanwhile tried to soften the obdurate wall with melted butter and new milk—but in vain.

From Project Gutenberg

The most obdurate heart could not have exacted further patience, and Cæsar instantly gave in.

From Project Gutenberg