Obdurate

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˈɒbdjÊŠrÉ™t/, /ˈɒbdjÊŠrɪt/
• US IPA: /ˈɑːbdjÊŠrɪt/, /ˈɑːbdÊŠrɪt/
• Sometimes accented on the second syllable, especially by the older poets.

Origin

Mid 15th century, from Latin obduratus ("hardened"), form of obdūrō (""), from ob- ("against") + dūrō ("harden, render hard"), from durus ("hard").

Online Etymology Dictionary

Compare durable, endure.

Full definition of obdurate

Adjective

1. Stubbornly persistent, generally in wrongdoing; refusing to reform or repent.
• HookerThe very custom of evil makes the heart obdurate against whatsoever instructions to the contrary.
• ShakespeareArt thou obdurate, flinty, hard as steel,
  Nay, more than flint, for stone at rain relenteth?
• 1818, Percy_Bysshe_Shelley,"The Revolt of Islam", canto 4, stanza 9, lines 1486-7:But custom maketh blind and obdurateThe loftiest hearts.
• 2011, February 12, Les Roopanarine, Birmingham 1 - 0 Stoke, An injury-time goal from Nikola Zigic against an obdurate Stoke side gave Birmingham back-to back Premier League wins for the first time in 14 months.
2. (obsolete) Physically hardened, toughened.

Synonyms

• stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing: hardened, hard-hearted, impertinent, intractable, unrepentant, unyielding, recalcitrant

Derived terms

• obduracy

Related terms

• durable, duration
• endure, endurance, enduring