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Obduracy: meaning, definitions and examples

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obduracy

 

[ ˈäb-dyə-rə-sē ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

stubbornness in attitude

Obduracy refers to an unwillingness to change one’s mind or a refusal to soften one’s attitudes, especially regarding moral issues. This term often suggests a callousness or hard-heartedness, where an individual remains steadfast in their views despite opposition or valid reasons to reconsider. It can be applied to situations in personal relationships, politics, and various debates where inflexibility is prevalent.

Synonyms

adamance, intransigence, obstinacy, stubbornness, unyieldingness

Examples of usage

  • His obduracy in refusing to apologize caused a rift in their friendship.
  • The leader's obduracy led to protests against his policies.
  • Despite evidence to the contrary, her obduracy compelled her to stick to her original claim.

Translations

Translations of the word "obduracy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 obstinada

🇮🇳 जिद

🇩🇪 Eigensinn

🇮🇩 kekerasan

🇺🇦 упертість

🇵🇱 upór

🇯🇵 頑固さ

🇫🇷 obstination

🇪🇸 obstinación

🇹🇷 inat

🇰🇷 고집

🇸🇦 عناد

🇨🇿 tvrdohlavost

🇸🇰 neústupnosť

🇨🇳 固执

🇸🇮 trmošenje

🇮🇸 þrjóskur

🇰🇿 табандылық

🇬🇪 მტკიცე

🇦🇿 israr

🇲🇽 obstinación

Word origin

The term 'obduracy' originates from the Latin word 'obdurare', which means 'to be hard or stubborn'. This Latin root is formed by the prefix 'ob-', meaning 'against', combined with 'durare', meaning 'to last or endure'. The evolution of the term moved through the Old French 'obduracité', before making its way into Middle English. By the 15th century, 'obduracy' appeared in English literature, often with connotations of moral strictness and a refusal to adapt one's viewpoint. Over centuries, the meaning has maintained its core essence, emphasizing the idea of inflexibility and resistance to change, particularly in ethical or emotional contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,187 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.