obdurate

/-ət/

Group 30Difficulty 2/3

Definition

(adjective)
Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action
GRE

Example in Context

The obdurate negotiator refused every compromise offered by the mediation team, insisting on terms that the other party could never accept.

Synonyms

stubbornunyieldinginflexible

Etymology

Lasting oppositely; stubborn and resistant to change.

  • ob- (Latin) — against
  • durare (Latin) — to last

Memory Aid

🦙Sounds like “obdurate

Picture a llama saying 'OB-DURATE!' while refusing to budge an inch, no matter what!

Visual Association

🚫A person firmly planting their feet while everyone else tries to push them away — utterly unyielding.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “obdurate” mean on the GRE?

obdurate (adjective) means “Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action”. The obdurate negotiator refused every compromise offered by the mediation team, insisting on terms that the other party could never accept.

How to remember “obdurate” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “obdurate” sounds like “obdurate”. Picture a llama saying 'OB-DURATE!' while refusing to budge an inch, no matter what!

What are synonyms for “obdurate”?

Common synonyms: stubborn, unyielding, inflexible.