Obdurate vs. Obstinate — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 29, 2024
Obdurate emphasizes a stubborn refusal to change one's opinion or course of action despite attempts to persuade. Obstinate highlights stubborn persistence in one's viewpoint or actions, typically in a less emotionally charged but equally steadfast manner.
Difference Between Obdurate and Obstinate
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Key Differences
Obdurate is used to describe someone who is not only stubborn but also resistant to feelings of pity or attempts at persuasion, suggesting a certain hardness of heart or emotion. This term often carries a connotation of being unyielding in a way that is somewhat more negative, as it can imply a refusal to be moved by emotional appeals. On the other hand, obstinate focuses more on the aspect of stubbornness itself, without necessarily implying an emotional hardness. It describes a person's firm adherence to their own opinions or plans, often in the face of reason or arguments to the contrary.
While both terms imply a strong determination to stick to one’s course, obdurate can suggest a level of inflexibility that borders on being unreasonably unyielding or closed to any form of change. Obstinate, while also denoting a strong sense of stubbornness, does not inherently carry the same depth of resistance to emotional or moral persuasion. It’s more about the persistence in an idea or action, possibly to one's own detriment, without the additional layer of being impervious to emotional appeals that obdurate conveys.
In literary or historical contexts, characters or figures described as obdurate are often those who remain unmoved by pleas for mercy or change, showcasing a level of emotional impenetrability. Obstinate characters might be similarly resistant to changing their paths, but their stubbornness is more about an unrelenting adherence to their chosen course, rather than an emotional resistance to change.
The usage of obdurate can also imply a judgment from the speaker, suggesting that the person’s refusal to change is not just stubborn but morally or emotionally lacking. In contrast, describing someone as obstinate might be more neutral or even admiring, focusing on their steadfastness and perseverance, even in the face of adversity, without the moral judgment that obdurate might carry.
Choosing between obdurate and obstinate depends on the nuance the speaker wishes to convey. If the intention is to highlight an individual’s refusal to be persuaded or moved by emotional considerations, obdurate is more fitting. If the goal is to describe someone’s persistence in their beliefs or actions, especially in a challenging situation, without necessarily implying a lack of emotional sensitivity, obstinate is the preferred term.
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Comparison Chart
Emotional Connotation
Implies a hardened heart, resistant to pity or moral persuasion.
Lacks the connotation of emotional hardness; focuses on stubbornness.
Degree of Stubbornness
Suggests an extreme level of stubbornness, often viewed negatively.
Indicates strong determination, but not necessarily negatively.
Reaction to Persuasion
Resistant to any form of persuasion, including emotional appeals.
Persistent despite rational arguments, but not specifically against emotional appeals.
Literary Usage
Often used to describe characters with a significant moral or emotional flaw.
Used to describe characters with a strong will or determination.
Speaker's Judgment
Can imply a moral or emotional deficiency in the person described.
More neutral, focusing on the trait of perseverance.
Compare with Definitions
Obdurate
Unyielding to persuasion or moral influences.
Despite the pleas for mercy, the judge remained obdurate.
Obstinate
Stubbornly adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion.
His obstinate belief in the project's success kept the team motivated.
Obdurate
Resistant to feelings of pity or compassion.
He was obdurate in his decision, unaffected by their tears.
Obstinate
Characterized by inflexible persistence or an unyielding attitude.
Obstinate resistance to change hampered progress.
Obdurate
Exhibiting stubborn persistence to a fault.
The obdurate stance against reform led to widespread criticism.
Obstinate
Showing unyielding allegiance to a cause or idea.
His obstinate dedication to justice was admirable.
Obdurate
Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action.
Her obdurate refusal to apologize deepened the rift.
Obstinate
Not easily subdued, remedied, or removed.
The obstinate stain on the carpet resisted all cleaning efforts.
Obdurate
Hardened in feelings, especially against moral influences.
The obdurate CEO dismissed concerns over environmental impact.
Obstinate
Firmly or stubbornly adhering to one's purpose or opinion.
She remained obstinate in her refusal to conform to expectations.
Obdurate
Not changing in response to argument or other influence; obstinate or intractable
"Everyone in the region has been obdurate in water negotiations with everyone else" (Marq de Villiers).
Obstinate
Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or chosen course of action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so
Her obstinate determination to pursue a career in radio
Obdurate
Hardened in wrongdoing or wickedness; stubbornly impenitent
"obdurate conscience of the old sinner" (Sir Walter Scott).
Obstinate
Stubbornly adhering to an attitude, opinion, or course of action; obdurate.
Obdurate
Hardened against feeling; hardhearted
An obdurate miser.
Obstinate
Characterized by such adherence
An obstinate refusal.
Obdurate
Stubbornly persistent, generally in wrongdoing; refusing to reform or repent.
Obstinate
Difficult to manage, control, or treat
An obstinate problem.
An obstinate headache.
Obdurate
(obsolete) Physically hardened, toughened.
Obstinate
Stubbornly adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course, usually with implied unreasonableness; persistent.
Obdurate
Hardened against feeling; hard-hearted.
Obstinate
(of inanimate things) Not easily subdued or removed.
Obdurate
To harden; to obdure.
Obstinate
(of a facial feature) Typical of an obstinate person; fixed and unmoving.
Obdurate
Hardened in feelings, esp. against moral or mollifying influences; unyielding; hard-hearted; stubbornly wicked.
The very custom of evil makes the heart obdurate against whatsoever instructions to the contrary.
Art thou obdurate, flinty, hard as steel,Nay, more than flint, for stone at rain relenteth?
Obstinate
Pertinaciously adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course; persistent; not yielding to reason, arguments, or other means; stubborn; pertinacious; - usually implying unreasonableness.
I have known great cures done by obstinate resolution of drinking no wine.
No ass so meek, no ass so obstinate.
Of sense and outward things.
Obdurate
Hard; harsh; rugged; rough; intractable.
There is no flesh in man's obdurate heart.
Obstinate
Not yielding; not easily subdued or removed; as, obstinate fever; obstinate obstructions.
Obdurate
To harden.
Obstinate
Persist stubbornly;
He obstinates himself against all rational arguments
Obdurate
Stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing
Obstinate
Stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing
Obdurate
Showing unfeeling resistance to tender feelings;
The child's misery would move even the most obdurate heart
Obstinate
Resistant to guidance or discipline;
Mary Mary quite contrary
An obstinate child with a violent temper
A perverse mood
Wayward behavior
Obstinate
Persisting in a reactionary stand
Common Curiosities
Is obdurate always negative?
Obdurate often has a negative connotation, suggesting a refusal to change that is morally or emotionally charged, but context can affect its interpretation.
Can someone be both obdurate and obstinate?
Yes, a person can be both obdurate and obstinate if they are stubbornly resistant to change, both in terms of emotional appeals and logical arguments.
What does obdurate mean?
Obdurate describes a person or stance that is stubbornly resistant to persuasion or moral influences, often implying a lack of emotional sensitivity.
Can obstinate be used in a positive context?
Yes, obstinate can be used positively to admire someone's persistence and determination, especially in the face of adversity.
How does obstinate compare to obdurate?
Obstinate focuses on stubborn persistence in one’s opinions or actions without the connotation of emotional or moral insensitivity that obdurate carries.
Which is more stubborn, obdurate or obstinate?
Obdurate is often seen as more stubborn because it includes resistance to emotional or moral persuasion, not just logical arguments.
Is being obdurate considered a flaw?
Being obdurate can be considered a flaw if it denotes a refusal to be morally or emotionally swayed when such flexibility might be beneficial.
How are obdurate and obstinate used differently in literature?
In literature, obdurate characters may be portrayed as having a significant flaw, being immune to change due to moral reasons, while obstinate characters are often depicted as determined or resolute.
Can organizations or beliefs be described as obdurate or obstinate?
Yes, both terms can apply to organizations or beliefs, with obdurate describing a refusal to change due to deep-seated principles, and obstinate describing a steadfast adherence to policies or doctrines.
Is it more challenging to negotiate with someone who is obdurate or obstinate?
Negotiating with someone who is obdurate can be more challenging due to their resistance to both logical and emotional appeals, compared to someone who is merely obstinate.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
