obstinate

What does “obstinate” mean?

verb.stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or chosen course of action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so.

SAT Usage

this term often appears in contexts involving conflict, decision-making, or personal relationships, emphasizing a strong, unyielding adherence to one's beliefs or choices. It suggests a deeper level of resistance compared to synonyms like "stubborn," as it implies a defiance against reason or persuasion, highlighting the character's inflexibility in the face of alternative viewpoints.

Common Confusions

Obstinate implies a strong and stubborn refusal to change one's mind despite reason, while stubborn usually suggests a more general unwillingness to yield without the same level of defiance against persuasion.

Example Sentences

• The obstinate child refused to eat anything but pasta.

• His obstinate refusal to change his opinion, even in the face of overwhelming evidence, frustrated his friends and left them questioning his judgment.

Word Parts: How to Remember “obstinate”

Break “obstinate” into its parts: ob- (against, toward). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: ob- against, toward (Latin)