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Definition of doggednext
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dogged

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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 in a recent piece for Foreign Affairs, drawing on a new book co-authored with Hussein Agha, Malley argues that the cause of that disappointment is Washington’s dogged insistence on a two-state solution that neither Israelis nor Palestinians really want. Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2025 Her dogged efforts to get every manuscript into print succeeded, and Wade makes the best of a musty publishing saga. Judith Thurman, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
The singer was dogged in his pursuit of the anthem assignment. Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026 Her popularity comes even as much of the public remains skeptical of her party, which has been dogged by scandals and suffered two embarrassing parliamentary election losses in the last two years. Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 8 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dogged
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dogged
Adjective
  • Students continue to struggle with foundational skills like reading and math, with persistent rates of underperformance even years after disruptive events such as the pandemic.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
  • By Michael Sasso | Bloomberg US homebuilders’ confidence slipped again this month, bogged down by persistent worries over affordability and high construction costs.
    Bloomberg, Oc Register, 17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • One person refuses to bow — not an army, not a revolution, one stubborn Jew minding his own business — and Haman cannot function.
    Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Scrub gently with a soft sponge or brush, focusing on stubborn areas.
    Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Over the past decade, despite relentless warnings about dysfunction and decline, businesses continued to earn money.
    Steve Booren, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Perhaps Gartside chose music as his medium for working out his relentless questions because of its power to sidestep the analytical mind’s reflexive contortions and speak directly to the heart.
    Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • An immigration officer chased Aljorna who, according to the government, violently resisted arrest.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Tennessee Tech's starting pitcher lasted just ⅔ of an inning before being chased out.
    Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • However, delays hounded construction.
    Larry Seward, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Stewart noted that Diana's experience of being hounded by the media resonated with her as someone who has had a famously tumultuous relationship with the press and the public's scrutiny of celebrity lives.
    Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The Royals were insistent on getting some outfield help.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2026
  • So far, that information isn’t being provided (the first lady was insistent on a theatrical push around the globe).
    Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Norma Padgett Upshaw, who remained adamant that the four men were the ones involved in her assault, died in 2024.
    News Service Of Florida, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Suleyman’s vision for Microsoft Suleyman is adamant about the technology’s potential.
    Jake Angelo, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Warner Bros is determined to get Wuthering Heights to an $80M-plus opening, and that might fluctuate with a lower domestic 4-day (mid $30M) and a better international (north of $42M).
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 15 Feb. 2026
  • That means that Siqueira, recruiting coordinator Camilo Guerci and assistant coach Chen Abramovich are determined to sign as many as 16 new players by the time the 2026 season starts in August.
    Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 15 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Dogged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dogged. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.

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