obdurate
Meaning: Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action despite attempts at persuasion. Implies a hard-hearted or unyielding quality.
Obdurate is stronger than 'stubborn' and more formal than 'pig-headed.' It implies not just resistance to argument but an almost physical hardness of character. The word carries a note of moral disapproval — the obdurate person is wrong to persist, and their refusal causes harm. It collocates with 'refusal,' 'resistance,' 'stance,' and 'opposition.' The noun 'obduracy' is also current.
Examples
- Despite overwhelming evidence, the council remained obdurate in its refusal to grant planning permission. 尽管有压倒性的证据,议会仍然顽固地拒绝批准规划许可。A pesar de las pruebas abrumadoras, el ayuntamiento se mantuvo obdurate en su negativa a conceder el permiso de obras.圧倒的な証拠があるにもかかわらず、議会は建築許可の付与を頑なに拒否し続けた。압도적인 증거에도 불구하고, 의회는 건축 허가 부여를 완강히 거부했다.
- Her obdurate stance on the issue alienated even her closest allies in the cabinet. 她在这个问题上顽固不化的立场甚至疏远了内阁中最亲密的盟友。Su postura obdurate en el asunto enajenó incluso a sus aliados más cercanos en el gabinete.この問題に対する彼女の頑固な姿勢は、内閣の最も親しい味方さえも遠ざけた。이 문제에 대한 그녀의 완고한 입장은 내각의 가장 가까운 동맹자마저 멀어지게 했다.
- The union accused management of obdurate resistance to any meaningful pay negotiations. 工会指责管理层顽固地抵制任何有意义的薪资谈判。El sindicato acusó a la dirección de una resistencia obdurate a cualquier negociación salarial significativa.労働組合は、経営陣がいかなる実質的な賃金交渉にも頑として応じないと非難した。노동조합은 경영진이 어떠한 실질적인 임금 협상에도 완강히 저항한다고 비난했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: political, legal
Tone: disapproving
Origin & History
From Latin obduratus (hardened), past participle of obdurare (to harden), from ob- (against) + durare (to harden), from durus (hard). Entered English in the 15th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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