dogged 1 of 2

1
2
3

dogged

2 of 2

verb

past tense of dog

Synonym Chooser

How is the word dogged distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of dogged are mulish, obstinate, pertinacious, and stubborn. While all these words mean "fixed and unyielding in course or purpose," dogged suggests an admirable often tenacious and unwavering persistence.

pursued the story with dogged perseverance

When is mulish a more appropriate choice than dogged?

The meanings of mulish and dogged largely overlap; however, mulish implies a thoroughly unreasonable obstinacy.

a mulish determination to have his own way

In what contexts can obstinate take the place of dogged?

The words obstinate and dogged are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, obstinate implies usually an unreasonable persistence.

an obstinate proponent of conspiracy theories

When might pertinacious be a better fit than dogged?

While in some cases nearly identical to dogged, pertinacious suggests an annoying or irksome persistence.

a pertinacious salesclerk refusing to take no for an answer

When can stubborn be used instead of dogged?

The synonyms stubborn and dogged are sometimes interchangeable, but stubborn implies sturdiness in resisting change which may or may not be admirable.

a person too stubborn to admit error

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dogged
Adjective
The alderman acknowledged the frustration of the dogged former parishioners who want St. Adalbert’s to reopen as a Catholic church. Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025 The 29-year-old is still a dogged forechecker, a pain to play against, and the kind of Nino Niederreiter-plus middle-six play driver Winnipeg needs — especially if Ehlers signs elsewhere. Scott Powers, New York Times, 14 June 2025
Verb
But it’s been dogged by controversy over resurfaced racist tweets by trans star Gascón. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2025 This year, one of the Best Picture contenders has been dogged by controversy, while in several other categories, the race feels a lot more wide open than in past years. Sean Collins, Vox, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dogged
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dogged
Adjective
  • Many prominent men across sports, music, business and politics have opened up about their mental health struggles, helping to chip away at the persistent stigma that discourages men from seeking help.
    Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2025
  • This suggested that the persistent activity of PKMζ is required to maintain a memory.
    Ajdina Halilovic, Wired News, 6 July 2025
Adjective
  • One of the people that is most stubborn in their support of these spendy projects is Senator Todd Young, a Republican from Indiana.
    Roger Valdez, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • For indoor brick, keep it simple by trying a slightly damp brush to sweep away stubborn dirt.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • Christina has become the latest target of this troubling phenomenon — subjected to relentless personal attacks and sexist scrutiny that ignore the legal process entirely.
    KC Baker, People.com, 4 July 2025
  • Golden State has relentless rebounders and hard-nosed defenders at every position.
    Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • But these cerebral dispatches realize their audience often experiences the work communally and tends to enjoy it most when accompanied by flowing synths and insistent drums.
    Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 27 June 2025
  • An insistent tabby cat has left internet users in stitches after getting caught repeatedly waking up a woman by yelling outside her window, despite not being her pet.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • President Donald Trump has been adamant his tariffs will bring factory jobs back to American shores.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 June 2025
  • Among the holdouts are members of the SALT Caucus, who have been adamant that any deal from the Senate that does not match the one that passed the House is dead on arrival.
    Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • But that doesn't diminish the emotional payoff of watching its determined hero tackle (no pun intended) one obstacle after another.
    Sophie van Bastelaer, EW.com, 7 July 2025
  • The winner of the Kansas City Regional will advance to the TBT quarterfinals on July 28 at a yet to be determined location.
    Gary Bedore July 7, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Prosecutors in the first four months of 2024 pursued nearly 19,000 soldiers, who either abandoned their posts or deserted, according to the Ukrainian parliament.
    Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Wreckage, oil and human remains washed up on beaches from South Florida to Long Island, New York, and horrified civilians watched from Atlantic City’s boardwalk as German subs pursued and sank merchant ships in broad daylight.
    David Wolman, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Earlier in December, Pope Benedict XV urged a holiday truce.
    Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024
  • But, in 2006, someone urged him to see The Lives of Others, Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s movie about East Germany.
    Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 23 Dec. 2024

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dogged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dogged. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on dogged

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!