Contrary
Contrary adjective - Given to resisting authority or another's control.
Usage example: the contrary soldier is facing a court-martial for insubordination
Obstinate is a synonym for contrary in stubborn topic. In some cases you can use "Obstinate" instead an adjective "Contrary", when it comes to topics like unyielding, perverse, disobedient, antagonistic. popular alternative
Obstinate
Obstinate adjective - Sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion.
Usage example: the child was obstinate about wanting that specific toy, despite being offered several others
Contrary is a synonym for obstinate in stubborn topic. You can use "Contrary" instead an adjective "Obstinate", if it concerns topics such as unyielding, disobedient. popular alternative
Nearby Words: obstinacy, obstinately
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
- inflexible and contrary
- inflexible and obstinate
- stubborn and contrary
- stubborn and obstinate
- difficult and contrary
- difficult and obstinate
- perverse and contrary
- perverse and obstinate
- refractory and contrary
- refractory and obstinate
- uncooperative and contrary
- uncooperative and obstinate
- balky and contrary
- balky and obstinate
Both words in one sentence
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Unreliable Narrator: If you ignore Scarlett's obstinate insistence throughout the book that she loves Ashley and that Rhett doesn't love her, you can actually see the evidence to the contrary very clearly.
Source: Film / Gone with the Wind
Cite this Source
Obstinate and Contrary. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 16, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/contrary/obstinate
Contrary & Obstinate. N.p., 2016. Web. 16 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/contrary/obstinate>.
Obstinate or Contrary. 2016. Accessed August 16, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/contrary/obstinate.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "contrary" and "obstinate" have occurred on timeline