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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
One thing worth noting, however, was its dogged commitment to improving the fortunes of women in esports, which is continued right up until its final weeks, regularly hosting creator parties, panelist discussions, and more from its soon-to-close HQ. Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025 Yet to this day, her anguished family, who have become dogged investigators themselves, don’t know what really happened to Amy. Liam Quinn, People.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
Insecurities dogged Keaton throughout her life. Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 12 Oct. 2025 Stacey’s dogged dedication to existing in her truth is clearly going to grate further and further on the women as the season proceeds. Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dogged
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dogged
Adjective
  • Those who have trouble breathing, chest pain, a fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or a persistent cough should seek medical care, according to the Mayo Clinic.
    Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The novelist Adam Johnson is not a writer of that doggedly persistent kind.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Uninhibited by the European commitments of their rivals following last season’s dreary eighth-place finish, Massimiliano Allegri has wasted no time moulding the Rossoneri into a stubborn outfit that sit within two points of the summit after a 0-0 draw at Juventus before the international break.
    Jack Bantock, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
  • That damaging psychic weight of insecurity and self-blame seeps into our society and politics, where polls show a stubborn and longtime trend of declining faith in a better future.
    Nino Paoli, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Diabate is relentless and has an uncanny knack for the ball, endearing himself to his teammates with his penchant for keeping the ball alive or snatching offense rebounds off the glass.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Roundhill actually shut its meme ETF down at one point because of lack of interest, but revived it earlier this month as retail traders dive back into this relentless bull market.
    Sarah Min, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Leafs chased the Kraken around the Toronto zone for extended periods, failing to control play as Stolarz tried and mostly excelled in keeping his team in it.
    Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Local news channels later reported that the vehicles had chased the man after a raid at a nearby car wash.
    J. David McSwane, ProPublica, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The search for answers grew more desperate after Payne, wracked with grief and hounded by reporters, died by suicide near the very spot where Mary’s body had been found.
    Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
  • For a Mets team hounded by questions about clubhouse culture in the wake of a late-season collapse, Marte is an intriguing case.
    Will Sammon, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But their terrific new Some Like It Hot is even cockier, steamier, more insistent — one of the year’s kickiest indie-rock thrillers.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Norton said in 2022 that Weinstein emailed him personally and was very insistent about appearing.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Whoever wins or doesn’t win, Markman is adamant that trophies don’t define us.
    Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Much to the dismay of Gen Z striving for success with a manageable work-life balance, CEOs are adamant that intense schedules are essential for anyone looking to make it in business.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Broncos seemed determined to splatter Ragu on Mona Lisa.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Bernadette Fox, a brilliant but agoraphobic architect, mysteriously disappears, sending her 15-year-old daughter, Bee, on a determined search.
    Kris Slugg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dogged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dogged. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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