Spell Bee Word: obdurate

Basic Details

Word: Obdurate

Part of Speech: Adjective

Meaning: Stubbornly refusing to change your opinion or action.

Synonyms: Stubborn, unyielding, inflexible

Antonyms: Flexible, submissive, compliant

Idioms and Phrases

1. Obdurate heart: Someone who is unfeeling or unsympathetic. Example: "Despite her friend's sad story, she had an obdurate heart and refused to help."
2. To break the obdurate: To change someone who is very resistant or stubborn. Example: "It took a lot of effort, but the kind teacher managed to break the obdurate students resistance to learning."

Usage Examples

Example 1: His obdurate refusal to listen to anyone's advice often got him into trouble.

Example 2: The obdurate child insisted on having his way, despite his parents' warnings.

Example 3: The manager was obdurate about the new policy, ignoring all feedback from the team.

Fun Fact

The word "obdurate" originates from the Latin word "obduratus," which means "hardened," reflecting a sense of firmness and resistance to change.

Famous Quote

"The obdurate heart is often the least aware of its own blindness." Unknown

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. What does "obdurate" mean?

a) Willing to change
b) Stubbornly refusing to change
c) Open to suggestions
d) Friendly and helpful

Answer: b) Stubbornly refusing to change

2. Which of these is a synonym of "obdurate"?

a) Yielding
b) Stubborn
c) Agreeable
d) Open-minded

Answer: b) Stubborn

3. Which word is an antonym of "obdurate"?

a) Stubborn
b) Flexible
c) Unyielding
d) Inflexible

Answer: b) Flexible

4. Which sentence uses "obdurate" correctly?

a) The obdurate tree blew away in the wind.
b) She was obdurate about her decision, refusing to change her mind.
c) The obdurate kitten chased the butterfly.
d) He felt obdurate when he swam in the pool.

Answer: b) She was obdurate about her decision, refusing to change her mind.

5. What does the idiom "to break the obdurate" mean?

a) To make someone stubborn
b) To change a stubborn person
c) To give up trying
d) To agree with everyone

Answer: b) To change a stubborn person