Obdurate

Characterized by stubborn refusal to change one's opinion or course of action; stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing. The term often suggests a hardened heart, impervious to appeals or persuasion. It implies a resistance to ethical considerations, moral suasion, or any attempt to sway one's will. The obdurate individual is typically unwilling to consider alternative viewpoints, displaying a rigidity of mind and a resistance to compromise. This unyielding nature can stem from deep-seated beliefs, ingrained habits, or a deliberate choice to defy external pressure, sometimes appearing defiant or recalcitrant. The word carries a strong connotation of inflexibility and an unwillingness to yield or concede, even in the face of compelling evidence or emotional pleas.

Obdurate meaning with examples

• Despite pleas from his family, the obdurate millionaire remained unwilling to donate any of his vast wealth to charity, clinging to his belief that charitable giving undermined personal responsibility and the value of hard work, showing obdurate self-righteousness.
• The government, faced with mounting public pressure for reform, maintained an obdurate stance, refusing to budge on its policies despite overwhelming evidence of their ineffectiveness. The public responded with a mixture of anger and frustration.
• The defendant's lawyer struggled to convince the jury of his client's innocence, as the evidence mounted, and the obdurate defendant refused to express remorse or cooperate, creating a challenge.
• Her obdurate refusal to apologize for her hurtful comments strained the relationship further, and the more she said nothing the more the others got agitated and upset. Silence can be as obdurate as any action.
• After repeated warnings, the obdurate student continued to disrupt the class. This behavior was so disrespectful the school administration was forced to take disciplinary action, much to their regret.