Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

obstinate

/ˈɑb.stə.nət/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.73 in modern English

Syllables: ob-sti-nate
IPA: /ˈɑb.stə.nət/

11

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

3

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Stubbornly adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course, usually with implied unreasonableness; persistent.

adj

Of an inanimate object, not easily subdued or removed.

adj

Of a facial feature or expression, fixed and unmoving.

Example Sentences

"From this consideration it is that we have derived the custom, in times of war, to punish […] those who are obstinate to defend a place that by the rules of war is not tenable […]"
"[…] the junior Osborne was quite as obstinate as the senior: when he wanted a thing, quite as firm in his resolution to get it; and quite as violent when angered, as his father in his most stern moments"
"an obstinate blockage in the pipe"
"1925-29, Mahadev Desai (translator), M.K. Gandhi, The Story of My Experiments with Truth, Part IV, Chapter XXIX, Now it happened that Kasturbai […] had again begun getting haemorrhage, and the malady seemed to be obstinate."
"He had the same pile of curly hair, but he was clean-shaven with a heavy, obstinate jowl."

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English obstinat(e) (“obstinate, stubborn”), from Latin obstinātus, perfect passive participle of obstinō (“set one's mind firmly upon, resolve”) (see -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from ob (“before”) + *stinare, from stare (“to stand”). Doublet of ostinato.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: *steh₂-, obstinat, obstinātus

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈɑb.stə.nət/
British English: /ˈɒb.stɪ.nət/

Inflected Forms

more obstinate (comparative) most obstinate (superlative) obstinant (alternative, proscribed)

Derived Forms

obstinacy obstinately obstinateness unobstinate

Frequently Paired Words

recidivist contrary obstinacy persist

Synonyms

bloody-minded persistent stubborn pertinacious unrelenting inexorable adamant ardent grim untiring bent on bullheaded

Antonyms

compromising transigent flexible sycophantic yielding

Questions

How do you pronounce obstinate?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈɑb.stə.nət/.
What does obstinate mean?: Stubbornly adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course, usually with implied unreasonableness; persistent.
Where does obstinate come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce obstinate

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “obstinate”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈɑb.stə.nət/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “obstinate”.
Repeat and practice — Say “obstinate” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.