obstinate implies usually an unreasonable persistence.
an obstinate proponent of conspiracy theories
dogged suggests an admirable often tenacious and unwavering persistence.
pursued the story with dogged perseverance
stubborn implies sturdiness in resisting change which may or may not be admirable.
a person too stubborn to admit error
pertinacious suggests an annoying or irksome persistence.
a pertinacious salesclerk refusing to take no for an answer
mulish implies a thoroughly unreasonable obstinacy.
a mulish determination to have his own way
Example Sentences
She approached the job with mulish determination. a mulish insistence on doing things his own way
Recent Examples on the WebAgain, that is happening while the Biden administration makes U.S. energy production increasingly difficult, putting more upward pressure on prices in its mulish determination to appease the far Left. Andrew C. Mccarthy, National Review, 7 Feb. 2022 His daughter, Anne (Olivia Colman), who comes to see him, is galled by the situation, but Anthony is mulish and unmoved. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2021 They are increasingly irritated by the Democrats’ mulish persistence in an anti-Trump impeachment gambit at the expense of dealing with pressing national problems. Andrew C. Mccarthy, National Review, 22 June 2019 And still fashion week keeps its mulish course, a carousel spinning madly. Matthew Schneier, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2018 Only a supranational institution such as the EU has the heft and mulish determination to override national attempts to impose banana uniformity, vacuum-cleaner-motor wattage limits or standards for automobile safety systems. Joseph C. Sternberg, WSJ, 17 Aug. 2017 Although the Democrat who defeated him, Sheldon Whitehouse, is not considered unfriendly to the environment, Chafee's ouster has to please Sen. James Inhofe, the mulish Republican chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Wired News Report, WIRED, 8 Nov. 2006 See More