Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[shvetsov2005]

What is the difference between obstinate and stubborn.
When would you use each of them in your speach or writting?

Alex.

[Suzanne]

They mean the same thing.

In fact, if you look in the dictionary, here's what you'll find:

stubborn = unreasonably obstinate, fixed in an opinion

obstinate = stubbornly adhering to a purpose or opinion

I'd say that obstinate is more formal, or used by educated people. When you would choose to use them would depend on who the audience is, or the style of writing.