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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
The lawmaker said Trump doesn’t like bad headlines and negative media coverage, something that has dogged Kennedy since his Senate confirmation proceedings. Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 24 Sep. 2025 The delay in the completion of Raye’s second album is unfortunately of a piece with setbacks that once dogged her. David Browne, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dogged
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dogged
Adjective
  • Mostly sunny and very warm; persistent dry weather will worsen drought conditions through the weekend.
    Alexander Coolidge, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The family includes 5,000 compounds, which are persistent, remaining both in the environment and human body over time.
    Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Originally bred in Germany to hunt badgers, these small canines are energetic, bold and stubborn.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Both options meant navigating some stubborn supporters.
    Kevin Coulson, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This relentless barrage of interruptions and switching between thoughts and technology platforms is leaving us utterly exhausted, says Paul Leonardi, department chair and Duca Family Professor of Technology Management at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
    Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Norris portrays the cunning and relentless Chief Dennison, with Tripp as Liz Bradley, a border patrol agent with a true-north moral compass, in her first major film role.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Will Brennan hit a ball deep to right field and Pérez chased it down, but couldn’t get to it.
    Ryan Ford, Freep.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • As Leo chased Genesis around the kitchen, Rosalba and her mother prepared lunch—a delicious meal of chicken cooked in a broth of cinnamon, clove, laurel, and sour orange.
    Simon Willis, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • Jones was part of a defense that pressured and hounded Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, contributing two quarterback hurries, a tackle for loss and deflected pass.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Netanyahu insistent on continuing war despite rising pressure DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip -- Israeli strikes and gunfire killed at least 57 people across Gaza, health officials said Saturday, as international pressure grows for a ceasefire but Israel's leader remains defiant about continuing the war.
    WAFAA SHURAFA, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Jayce was protective of his baby brother and insistent on showing him everything a 4-year-old knew about life – like how to brush his teeth or how to properly use the bathroom during potty training.
    Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • To their credit, Wild GM Bill Guerin and owner Craig Leipold were adamant that wasn’t going to happen and got a deal done.
    James Mirtle, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • His family, as well as his legal team, are adamant that Combs has been rehabilitated and should be released.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Carman is determined to keep expanding her work and wants every first responder to have access to a therapy dog.
    Kathleen Toner, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The vehicle will primarily drive pre-determined routes, act as a visual crime deterrent and display key messages to the community from its windows.
    Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dogged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dogged. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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