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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
And Bridges’ fit, thought of as seamless because of his shooting and dogged reputation, was not as slick as DiVincenzo’s had been the previous season. James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 31 May 2025 Double bigs give Valkyries huge trouble The Valkyries have attempted to craft an identity as a scrappy, dogged defensive unit that plays above their talent level. Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 May 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
  • Yet some of the most pervasive threats for LGBTQ+ performers don’t come in-person — they’re instead issued online, via social media accounts mounting hate campaigns that result in persistent threats of violence and death.
    Stephen Daw, Billboard, 12 June 2025
  • Still, empowering women athletes to reach their full potential depends on closing persistent gaps in pay, media coverage and funding.
    Liz Elting, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
Adjective
  • Their relationship can be difficult as AM is stubborn and likes to have her way always.
    Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
  • Some of these infections stop on their own, but others are too stubborn, or too serious, to leave untreated.
    Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • Her relentless pace is interrupted when a panic attack forces her to take a break.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 10 June 2025
  • Ternana were relentless throughout extra-time but couldn’t find the winner.
    David Ferrini, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
Adjective
  • Wallen is still insistent about how those roots remain central to his music.
    Jon Caramanica, New York Times, 21 May 2025
  • And so, what was once a lazy, crazy, charming afternoon daydream of a movie is now a frantic, insistent, often unfunny sci-fi comedy.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • But Rawan is adamant that solving this will need more than just high-tech products.
    Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
  • Furious, Julian is adamant that Gabby wasn’t on the boat with Finn and Toby.
    Barry Levitt, Time, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • This could be the reason that Republicans seem determined to give them a tax cut.
    Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2025
  • His interest in the appraisals made by determined minds informed every issue of Lapham’s Quarterly.
    Donovan Hohn June 13, Literary Hub, 13 June 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

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Cite this Entry

“Dogged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dogged. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

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