How To Use Obstinacy In A Sentence

  • All auxiliary arrangements, such as palisades, abattis, &c., should be defended with the utmost obstinacy; the longer the enemy is held in check by these obstacles, the longer will he be exposed to the grape and musketry of the main work. Elements of Military Art and Science Or, Course Of Instruction In Strategy, Fortification, Tactics Of Battles, &C.; Embracing The Duties Of Staff, Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, And Engineers; Adapted To The Use Of Volunteers And Militia; Third Edition
  • Youth enters the world with very happy prejudices in her own favor. She imagines herself not only certain of accomplishing every adventure, but of obtaining those rewards which the accomplishment may deserve. She is not easily persuaded to believe that the force of merit can be resisted by obstinacy and avarice, or its luster darkened by envy and malignity. Samuel Johnson 
  • She only smiled in scorn, and those who stood by wept to see one so young and so beautiful persisting in what they termed obstinacy and rashness, and entreated her to yield; but she refused, and by her eloquent appeal so touched their hearts that forty persons declared themselves Christians, and ready to die with her. Among the Great Masters of Music Scenes in the Lives of Famous Musicians
  • 'My dear young lady, it is well known that your christening was the work of your aunt, who did it unknown to your parents when she had you in her power, out of pure obstinacy to a church with which she was not in sympathy, taking you surreptitiously, and indefensibly, to the font of the Establishment; so that the rite meant and could mean nothing at all .... A Laodicean : a Story of To-day
  • But the uproar passed away in twenty minutes, leaving us all unharmed; excepting Cathy, who got thoroughly drenched for her obstinacy in refusing to take shelter, and standing bonnetless and shawlless to catch as much water as she could with her hair and clothes. Wuthering Heights
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  • My sister says, * that had they thought me such a championess, they you not have engaged with me: and now, not knowing how to reconcile my supposed obstinacy with my general character and natural temper, they seem to hope to tire me out, and resolve to vary their measures accordingly. Clarissa Harlowe
  • His learning was as vast as was his obstinacy immense in the matter of accepting change.
  • These are indeed very weighty counter-charges: and you might have declared them all before the Court, to which you were summoned: you might have appealed even to the septemvirate, but as you did not appear then, you must bear the consequences of your obstinacy. Debts of Honor
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  • At last we started homewards, meaning to separate the properties of the two claimants; but M---- owned the only proper horse-separating corral in the whole country, and from obstinacy and cussedness would not let us use it. Ranching, Sport and Travel
  • Next, To _creep to you with his Body and Head close upon the ground_, by saying, _Come nearer, Come nearer_, or the like Words; to understand and do it, entice him with shewing him Bread, or the like: Thrusting down any rising part of his Body or head, and roughly threatning him; if he slight that, a good Jerk or two with a slash of Whip-cord will reclaim his Obstinacy. The School of Recreation (1684 edition) Or, The Gentlemans Tutor, to those Most Ingenious Exercises of Hunting, Racing, Hawking, Riding, Cock-fighting, Fowling, Fishing
  • 186 Theodemir and his subjects were treated with uncommon lenity; but the rate of tribute appears to have fluctuated from a tenth to a fifth, according to the submission or obstinacy of the Christians. The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
  • Remember that the ruling faculty is invincible, when self-collected it is satisfied with itself, if it does nothing which it does not choose to do, even if it resist from mere obstinacy.
  • Condoleezza Rice say that there's no excuse for Kenya violence and the US is prepared to penalize Kenya for its leaders' obstinacy, whether the penalty ison purpose or not. February 2008
  • The correct use of the term requires the elements of obstinacy and irrationality toward those of differing opinion, especially: one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance. Whittier Daily News Most Viewed
  • Youth enters the world with very happy prejudices in her own favor. She imagines herself not only certain of accomplishing every adventure, but of obtaining those rewards which the accomplishment may deserve. She is not easily persuaded to believe that the force of merit can be resisted by obstinacy and avarice, or its luster darkened by envy and malignity. Samuel Johnson 
  • England states were equally angry at what they called the obstinacy of the South, and threats of secession were heard on both sides. The War of Independence
  • Dr. Hooke, in his day, expressed "his surprise at the obstinacy of seamen in continuing, after what appeared the clearest demonstration to the contrary, to prefer what are called bellying or bunting sails, to such as are hauled tight. Richard Lovell Edgeworth A Selection From His Memoir
  • How, Dalgliesh wondered, had the sculptor managed to convey the sweetness and the obstinacy of that individual smile, to model compassion and yet reduce it to self-delusion, to show humility garbed in a monk's habit -nd yet convey an overriding impression of the puissance of evil. She Closed Her Eyes
  • Due to either lack of course knowledge or obstinacy, the commissaries maintained the original lap count and sent the riders off to suffer for six laps and what would become a 3-hour death march.
  • The obduracy and obstinacy of human beings is what enables them to fight for their countries, repel invaders and maintain their solidarity.
  • Dr. Hooke, in his day, expressed “his surprise at the obstinacy of seamen in continuing, after what appeared the clearest demonstration to the contrary, to prefer what are called bellying or bunting sails, to such as are hauled tight.” Richard Lovell Edgeworth
  • I fear we must call a perverseness of obstinacy, a desire to maintain the resolution she had made, -- a wish that she might be allowed to undergo the punishment she had deserved. Can You Forgive Her?
  • Cargrim was not ill pleased at this obstinacy, as it gave him an opportunity of entering into conversation with the so-called decayed clergyman, who was as unlike a parson as a rabbit is like a terrier. The Bishop's Secret
  • Obstinacy after conviction, turbulency, etc., which are now laid down as the main weights that turn the scale on the side of severity, are here not once mentioned, nor by any thing in the least intimated. The Sermons of John Owen
  • His obstinacy drives me mad!
  • Youth enters the world with very happy prejudices in her own favor. She imagines herself not only certain of accomplishing every adventure, but of obtaining those rewards which the accomplishment may deserve. She is not easily persuaded to believe that the force of merit can be resisted by obstinacy and avarice, or its luster darkened by envy and malignity. Samuel Johnson 
  • "Beshrew the old fool!" muttered Sir William Howe, growing impatient of her obstinacy, and ashamed of the emotion into which he had been betrayed.
  • The punishment now began; but whether it was owing to the obstinacy of the culprit or the fear of the flagellator preventing his exertion, Jack endured four or five lashes without wincing, far less crying out. Ralph Rashleigh
  • His persistence, even obstinacy, marked him out.
  • His eyes took on an ugly gleam, his jaw stuck out, his expression incarnated Teutonic obstinacy. The Spinner's Book of Fiction
  • The softy looked darkly at his new employer; but Mr. James Conyers rather piqued himself upon a quality which he called determination, but which his traducers designated obstinacy, and he made up his mind that no one but Steeve Hargraves should carry the letter. Aurora Floyd. A Novel
  • The party tried to hail the steamer in the fog, wishing Lawry to put them on board of her; but her people did not hear their demand, or would not stop for them, and the party were highly incensed at what they called the obstinacy of Lawry. Haste and Waste; Or, the Young Pilot of Lake Champlain. a Story for Young People
  • I might have become a dangerous man with all that stubbornness and obstinacy built into me.
  • He had an inclination to glory, but it was tempered more with rashness and fury than with moderation and counsell: his liberalities were without discretion, measure, or distinction, immoveable oftentimes in his purposes, but that was rather an ill-grounded obstinacy than constancie, and that which many call bountie deserved more reasonably in his the name of coldnesse and slacknesse of spirit. "[ Beatrice d'Este, Duchess of Milan, 1475-1497
  • Besides from her strong resistiveness and constitutional obstinacy, she is liable every moment to turn short from the main point and spend her whole force upon some little one-side annoyance that might temporarily nettle her. The Grimke Sisters
  • Elipandus's obstinacy and Felix's versatility were but the partial cause of the temporary success of Adoptionism. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 1: Aachen-Assize
  • When the symptoms were very complicated, the patient was supposed to be possessed with many demons — a demon of madness, one of luxury, one of avarice, one of obstinacy, one of short-sightedness, one of deafness; and the exorciser could not easily miss finding a demon of foolery created, with another of knavery. A Philosophical Dictionary
  • I have said already that he had his weak points; but in speaking of these, I must not be understood as referring to his obstinacy: which was one of his strong points -- "assurement ce n 'etait pas sa foible. The Works of Edgar Allan Poe — Volume 3
  • It is a very accountable obstinacy.
  • Marcus Aurelius was contemptuously astonished at what he called the obstinacy of the Christians; he knew not from what source these nameless heroes drew a strength superior to his own, though he was at the same time emperor and sage. The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 03
  • He says he had ordered for execution such as persevered in their profession after repeated warnings, "as not doubting, whatever it was they professed, that at any rate contumacy and inflexible obstinacy ought to be punished. The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 03
  • His weaknesses are sometimes blind loyalty and obstinacy. Times, Sunday Times
  • Instead of being taken aback, he felt a perverse obstinacy rise up inside him.
  • ‘But it is my duty to tell you, Miss Lynch, that the gentry of this counthry, before whom you will have to appear, will express very great indignation at your conduct in persevering in placing poor people like the Kellys in so dreadful a predicament, by your wilful and disgraceful obstinacy.’ The Kellys and the O'Kellys
  • Privately, he thought he had been a trifle hard on the lad, and but for his obstinacy -- which he called firmness -- he would have recalled the prodigal. The Opal Serpent
  • It is a sweet and pretty countenance that can become contorted into a Munchian shriek, a child's importunate obstinacy, a beleaguered housewife's exasperation, a hectoring soldier's grimace, or anything else.
  • Youth enters the world with very happy prejudices in her own favor. She imagines herself not only certain of accomplishing every adventure, but of obtaining those rewards which the accomplishment may deserve. She is not easily persuaded to believe that the force of merit can be resisted by obstinacy and avarice, or its luster darkened by envy and malignity. Samuel Johnson 
  • Inspired, however, by the spirit of hereditary obstinacy, Charles preferred a useless resistance to a dignified submission, and, by a series of idle bravadoes, laid the French court under the necessity of arresting their late ally, and sending him to close confinement in the Bastille, from which he was afterwards sent out of the French dominions, much in the manner in which a convict is transported to the place of his destination. Redgauntlet
  • Only this, Miss, That your stomachfulness had swallowed up your stomach; and, That obstinacy was meat, drink, and clothes to you. Clarissa Harlowe
  • If Richards's film is a tribute to the tenacity of the treasure hunters, its very existence is proof of his dogged obstinacy.
  • Sheer obstinacy prevented her from apologizing.
  • In the same letter, referring to the King's obstinacy, and to the grief on that account which he believes to be preying on Henderson, he implores him to take courage, shake off "melancholious thoughts," and "digest what cannot be gotten amended. The Life of John Milton Volume 3 1643-1649
  • His lifelong political enemy called him "the great incendiary" and a "master of the puppets", deplored his "obstinacy and inflexible disposition", and also accused him of "defalcation" a quaint expression for embezzlement. Dove's Eye View:
  • But there still clung to her what I fear we must call a perverseness of obstinacy, a desire to maintain the resolution she had made -- a wish that she might be allowed to undergo the punishment she had deserved. Can You Forgive Her?
  • My father, as may be imagined, was highly incensed at my perseverance, which he called obstinacy, but, what will not be so easily believed, he soon after relented, and appointed a day to take me from the convent. The Romance of the Forest
  • -- My sister says, * that had they thought me such a championess, they you not have engaged with me: and now, not knowing how to reconcile my supposed obstinacy with my general character and natural temper, they seem to hope to tire me out, and resolve to vary their measures accordingly. Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 2
  • Add to this a kind of adhesiveness (we can hardly call it obstinacy or pertinacity) of temper, which can make no allowance for change of circumstances, and we think we have a tolerably clear notion of the causes of General McClellan's disasters. The Writings of James Russell Lowell in Prose and Poetry, Volume V Political Essays
  • The obduracy and obstinacy of human beings is what enables them to fight for their countries, repel invaders and maintain their solidarity.
  • Not being able to vanquish what he called my obstinacy, Maisons begged me at the least to go and fix myself upon the Quai de la Megisserie, where so much old iron is sold, and examine from that spot the tower where the will was; he pointed it out to me; it looked out upon the Quai des Morforidus, but was behind the buildings on the quai. Court Memoirs of France Series — Complete
  • Youth enters the world with very happy prejudices in her own favor. She imagines herself not only certain of accomplishing every adventure, but of obtaining those rewards which the accomplishment may deserve. She is not easily persuaded to believe that the force of merit can be resisted by obstinacy and avarice, or its luster darkened by envy and malignity. Samuel Johnson 
  • He hoped his parents would not be difficult for he was not in the mood for their stubborn obstinacy.
  • The strength and the weakness were thus two sides of the same coin minted by Comte's sheer energy and persistence (or obstinacy, according to taste) which derived, in turn, from the strength of his motivation: the urgency of the social problem as he saw it; the need for a complete intellectual system as the means of solving it; and his conception of his own messianic mission. Dictionary of the History of Ideas
  • We have to admit that stubborn gerontocracy has been a major obstacle to reforming politics due to the aged politicians' obstinacy and narrow-mindedness.
  • It had connotations of blameworthy action, perversity or obstinacy.
  • And the action, therefore, which Pliny denominated obstinacy, would, if it had been left to us to name it, have been called inflexible virtue, as arising out of a sense of the obligations imposed upon them by the Christian religion. A Portraiture of Quakerism, Volume 3
  • His father, on account of Ajax carrying off his sister Hesione, encouraged him in his obstinacy and guilt. The Mysteries of All Nations Rise and Progress of Superstition, Laws Against and Trials of Witches, Ancient and Modern Delusions Together With Strange Customs, Fables, and Tales
  • But the uproar passed away in twenty minutes, leaving us all unharmed; excepting Cathy, who got thoroughly drenched for her obstinacy in refusing to take shelter, and standing bonnetless and shawlless to catch as much water as she could with her hair and clothes. Wuthering Heights
  • German's work; but what perhaps the world calls charlatanism in him is really only the reaction of genius when it comes into conflict with the brutal obstinacy of real life. Suspended Judgments Essays on Books and Sensations
  • The only thing humanity really admires is obstinacy. Aleta Dey
  • Its hardness or obstinacy, in opposition to the pliableness of a heart of flesh, is principally intended in this expression. Pneumatologia
  • Not until he turns to walk back to the house does he reveal the mixture of cussedness and sheer obstinacy that makes him try to climb the highest peaks in the racing landscape.
  • Many a time he had berated his friend for what he termed his pigheaded obstinacy. Bought and Paid For From the Play of George Broadhurst
  • Her character was not of the kind which could safely be left to its own development, for she called her caprices justice and her obstinacy principle, a mode of viewing life not conducive to much permanent satisfaction when not modified by the salutary restraint of a more sensible companion. Paul Patoff
  • Bless his memory, say I, for, though he might have had his faults, he was a right-honest true-hearted man -- brave as the bravest of his subjects, and firm too; though those who opposed him called his firmness obstinacy. Ben Burton Born and Bred at Sea
  • Her arms were folded, her mouth primmed into an expression of respect, mingled with obstinacy, her whole mind apparently bent up to the solemn interview. Old Mortality
  • Experimental films owe their sole existence to the perseverance and obstinacy of the filmmakers, sometimes at the risk of their lives.
  • Only as the strike nears defeat does his obstinacy acquire a more human, faintly heroic quality.
  • It is happening in this fashion because of the obstinacy of one woman.
  • Ironically, this comes primarily as a result of his unshakeable obstinacy in taking the governing body to task earlier this season over his well-publicised fine for comments made about referee Dougie McDonald.
  • Youth enters the world with very happy prejudices in her own favor. She imagines herself not only certain of accomplishing every adventure, but of obtaining those rewards which the accomplishment may deserve. She is not easily persuaded to believe that the force of merit can be resisted by obstinacy and avarice, or its luster darkened by envy and malignity. Samuel Johnson 
  • He had been trying to persuade me to disregard what he termed the obstinacy of the old folks, and said impatiently: Nick Baba's Last Drink and Other Sketches
  • Ironically, this comes primarily as a result of his unshakeable obstinacy in taking the governing body to task earlier this season over his well-publicised fine for comments made about referee Dougie McDonald.
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  • But there still clung to her what I fear we must call a perverseness of obstinacy, Can you forgive her?
  • The other seems to him only an unrighteous actuality or a case of human obstinacy or perversity.
  • Erebus knew her brother well; she perceived that she was confronted by what she called his obstinacy; and though his brazen-faced admission had raised her to the very height of amazement and horror, she uttered no protest. The Terrible Twins
  • Ignorance and obstinacy blocked his proposed reform. THE SCOTTISH ENLIGHTENMENT: The Scots' Invention of the Modern World
  • At Northampton I often offended people I liked by what they called my obstinacy when a principle was at stake. Our Friend the Charlatan
  • This will require people have great courage, and will not make intelligent heart being tied and great chances being lost for selfhood parochialism , outdated obstinacy and short-term benefit.
  • At what point in the system does patience become obstinacy? Times, Sunday Times
  • When my parents asked me the reason of my nonattendance, I refused to answer them; and at length they became enraged at what they termed my obstinacy, and insisted that I should not fail to attend church on the following Sabbath. City Crimes or Life in New York and Boston

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