dogged

adjective

dog·​ged ˈdȯ-gəd How to pronounce dogged (audio)
: marked by stubborn determination
a dogged competitor
dogged devotion
doggedly adverb
doggedness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for dogged

obstinate, dogged, stubborn, pertinacious, mulish mean fixed and unyielding in course or purpose.

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

Her dogged efforts eventually paid off. a dogged pursuit of power
Recent Examples on the Web But the bill encountered dogged opposition from both parties and ultimately collapsed. Karoun Demirjian, New York Times, 14 May 2023 The movie chronicles the dogged determination of this broken man — whose adult life appears to have been one long trembling retreat — to prove his mother wrong. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2023 And then there are pages and pages devoted to Harry’s personal trials, which even the most dogged reporter on Fleet Street would not dare dream of uncovering. Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2023 Our Crosstrek navigated them with dogged determination, thanks to the software sorting out the traction and wheelspin particulars. Andrew Wendler, Car and Driver, 9 May 2023 Maybe hope is the dogged insistence – the stubborn defiance – to continue cultivating moments of beauty regardless. Time, 20 Sep. 2022 In the face of dogged Ukrainian defense, Russian attempts to encircle the city have largely failed. Andy Eckardt, NBC News, 21 Apr. 2023 In Twilight there’s no rescue for scapegoats or other innocent prey, and, as Dürrenmatt preferred, there’s no triumph for the dogged detective. Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Apr. 2023 The series is a wild ride through Magnotta’s sadistic ploys for attention, and the dogged efforts of amateur detectives to stop him. Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dogged.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see dog entry 1

First Known Use

1700, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dogged was in 1700

Dictionary Entries Near dogged

Cite this Entry

“Dogged.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dogged. Accessed 2 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

dogged

adjective
dog·​ged ˈdȯ-gəd How to pronounce dogged (audio)
: stubbornly determined : tenacious
in dogged pursuit of power
doggedly adverb
doggedness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on dogged

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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