Likely each of us has run into or has a family member that we describe as obstinate.  We have two children who could fall into this category.  

Never willing to back down on something they believed with all their heart was right, each had a hold on his or her belief as tenacious as that of an octopus on its victim.

ob·sti·nate | adjective

1. firmly or stubbornly adhering to one’s purpose, opinion, etc.; not yielding to argument, persuasion, or entreaty

2. characterized by inflexible persistence or an unyielding attitude; inflexibly persisted in or carried out:obstinate advocacy of high tariffs.

3. not easily controlled or overcome: the obstinate growth of weeds.

4. not yielding readily to treatment, as a disease.

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Perhaps today a few images and quotes on the obstinate nature would be fun as well as informative:

Source: Arthur Mee and Holland Thompson, eds. The Book of Knowledge (New York, NY: The Grolier Society, 1912)
Source: Arthur Mee and Holland Thompson, eds. The Book of Knowledge (New York, NY: The Grolier Society, 1912)

Note the folded arms and stern facial expression.  Definitive of the word “obstinate.”

You could caption this as “I’m not taking another step I don’t care what you say!”
Obstinate doesn’t apply only to humans.

And this little one could have been one of ours, and reminds me of
our four-year old great-granddaughter when her mind is made up!

And a few interesting quotes by and from writers using the word “obstinate“:

Oscar Wilde on obstinate
Oscar Wilde on obstinate
Mary Shelley on obstinate
Mary Shelley on obstinate

and one last from a favorite of mine:

Jane Austen, obstinate headstrong girl
Jane Austen, obstinate headstrong girl

Jane Austen’s words perfectly describe our daughter!

Now you have images and examples of using the word in writing.  So, go write those stories and books!

Image attributions may be found by clicking on the image.

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