DOGGED Synonyms: 253 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

dogged 1 of 2

adjective

ˈdȯ-gəd

Definition of dogged

as in persistent

continuing despite difficulties, opposition, or discouragement a madman who spent his life in dogged pursuit of power

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in adamant

sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion your dogged adherence to a really lame argument is embarrassing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in relentless

showing no signs of slackening or yielding in one's purpose a dogged search for the missing piece of the puzzle

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dogged

2 of 2

verb

past tense of dog

as in chased

to go after or on the track of star athletes being dogged by fans when they're out in public

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in hounded

to subject (someone) to constant scoldings and sharp reminders tired of constantly having to dog their son about cleaning his room

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Her clarity of thought and dogged focus on how to uplift people who need it most have stayed constant. — Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 2 June 2026 He can be seen as a dogged competitor who used his edge to push his way to the big leagues. — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 8 May 2026

Verb

Scott’s narrator, Louise, is a musician of sorts, a frequent drug user, and a desperate diehard romantic, forever dogged by her ex-girlfriend Alex. — Robert Rubsam, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026 Penalties dogged Kansas City throughout the exhibition slate, with the opener alone producing 12 flags — nine of them on the offensive line. — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dogged

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dogged

Adjective

With almost 60% of Latino employment still spanning industries that traditionally pay less, Alvarez designed the report to capture growing income and employment in the context of persistent housing costs and working-class populations.

— Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Sheik’s career was marked by a persistent tension between mainstream recognition and his own resistance to the machinery of pop stardom.

— SPIN Staff, SPIN, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of persistent

Adjective

The Grammy winner was adamant in his Tuesday statement that he wouldn't be drawn into discussion of the war in Gaza, arguing that his fans don’t come to his shows to hear about these issues.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
The Dodgers have been adamant that Walter has no plans to sell the baseball team.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of adamant

Adjective

Neoclouds and other companies leveraged to relentless data center construction also came under pressure.

— Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2026
Being a relentless forechecker and reliable defender are his paths to sticking in the NHL after an 11-game taste last season, which showed up Sunday when Sýkora helped force the turnover that led to Greentree’s goal.

— Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of relentless

Verb

The man, identified as 22-year-old Rohit Rohit, chased Thakur down outside a Panera and shot her multiple times, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

— Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Operators that mastered complexity while others chased appearances.

— Nia Bowers, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of chased

Verb

Hill expresses, in earnest, the fears of being seen in public spaces, such as a grocery store, hounded by personal questions—an all-too relatable scenario, regardless of one’s background.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026
There were also social-media groups that hounded commissioners and sought to sink the hunt.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026

Definition of hounded

Adjective

That’s why the league has been so insistent on returning to the same markets each year.

— Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 10 Sep. 2026
And the insistent focus on Archambault to exclusion of all else does force Menochet’s sober gravitas to do a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of communicating the inner conflict and existential anguish with which all of the team must be struggling.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of insistent

Adjective

Apple's stubborn insistence on keeping base iPhones at 60Hz while budget Android phones offer zippier refresh rates has always baffled me.

— Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026
Bigger paychecks sought While the economy may be showing signs of acceleration, stubborn inflation has eroded Americans’ take-home pay.

— Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of stubborn

Adjective

For his part, BYU coach Kalani Sitake is determined to ensure Cougars fans can have more to brag about in the future, demanding that his program receive more financial support from the athletic department and university.

— The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Two of the drama’s whopping 53 nominations were for Seehorn’s portrayal of determined attorney Kim Wexler.

— Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of determined

Browse Nearby Words

dogfights

dogged

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“Dogged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dogged. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of dogged

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