23 words starting with O

• obduracy noun

  stubborn refusal to change one’s mind or behavior

  His obduracy meant that no argument could make him take the shorter route.

  Like stubbornness, obstinacy, intransigence

• obdurate adjective

  stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or actions

  Despite our pleading, the obdurate guard would not let us in after closing time.

  Like stubborn, obstinate, unyielding

• obeisance noun

  a show of deep respect, such as a bow; respectful obedience

  The pilgrims made obeisance before the shrine, bowing until their foreheads touched the floor.

  Like homage, bow, reverence

• obfuscate verb

  to make something unclear or confusing, often on purpose

  The company’s long report seemed designed to obfuscate the real costs.

  Like confuse, obscure, muddle

• objurgate verb

  to scold someone severely

  The captain objurgated the crew for leaving the deck dirty.

  Like scold, rebuke, berate

• obloquy noun

  strong public criticism; the disgrace that follows it

  The restaurant faced obloquy from every food critic after serving spoiled fish.

  Like censure, criticism, disgrace

• obsequious adjective

  too eager to please or obey, in a way that seems insincere

  The obsequious waiter kept bowing and praising every order we gave.

  Like servile, sycophantic, fawning

• obstreperous adjective

  noisy and hard to control

  The obstreperous crowd at the cricket match shouted and banged drums all day.

  Like unruly, rowdy, boisterous

• obtrusive adjective

  noticeable in an unwelcome or annoying way

  The new mobile tower is an obtrusive sight on the otherwise green hillside.

  Like conspicuous, intrusive

• obtuse adjective

  slow to understand; of an angle, between 90 and 180 degrees

  He was too obtuse to realize that his jokes were annoying everyone.

  Like dull, dense, slow-witted

• obviate verb

  to remove a need or difficulty in advance

  The new bridge obviates the need to wade across the river.

  Like prevent, preclude, avert

• occlude verb

  to block or close off a passage or opening

  A fallen tree occluded the trail, so we climbed around it.

  Like block, obstruct, close

• odium noun

  general hatred and disgust directed at someone

  The landlord earned the odium of the whole street by raising rents again.

  Like hatred, loathing, contempt

• officiate verb

  to act as the person in charge at a ceremony or sports game

  A senior priest officiated at the wedding ceremony in the temple courtyard.

  Like preside, referee, conduct

• officious adjective

  too eager to give orders or help where it is not wanted

  The officious clerk insisted on checking our tickets three times.

  Like meddlesome, interfering, bossy

• onus noun

  a duty or responsibility, especially to prove something

  The onus is on the scientist to show that the new medicine is safe.

  Like burden, responsibility, obligation

• opine verb

  to state one’s opinion, often in a formal way

  Grandfather opined that the old radios were better made than today’s phones.

  Like remark, declare, give one’s view

• opportune adjective

  happening at a convenient or well-suited time

  The rain stopped at an opportune moment, just as the match was about to start.

  Like timely, convenient, favorable

• opprobrium noun

  harsh public criticism and the shame that comes with it

  The factory faced opprobrium after it dumped waste into the Bagmati River.

  Like disgrace, censure, scorn

• orotund adjective

  of a voice, full, deep, and strong; of speech, pompous and showy

  The announcer’s orotund voice boomed across the stadium.

  Like resonant, sonorous, pompous

• ossify verb

  to turn into bone; to become rigid and unable to change

  Over the years, the club’s rules ossified, and nobody dared suggest anything new.

  Like harden, stiffen, fossilize

• ostracize verb

  to exclude someone from a group or society

  The other birds ostracized the injured crow and would not let it near the nest.

  Like exclude, shun, banish

• overweening adjective

  showing too much confidence or pride; arrogant

  His overweening pride kept him from asking anyone for directions.

  Like arrogant, conceited, presumptuous