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 stubborn

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

Draper also discussed the mental toll of his persistent injuries, which have dogged him on and off for the last few years, and spoke about working with a sports psychologist. — The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 The company is also developing a reusable heavy lift rocket called Starship, but the craft has been dogged by development delays. — John Ruwitch, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dogged

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dogged

Adjective

Why recruiting became political The Pentagon is emerging from the yearslong recruiting slump that followed the COVID-19 pandemic, easing one of the military's most persistent political headaches that drew bipartisan anxiety on Capitol Hill.

— Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
There is also persistent friction between Arab and Kurdish communities in the northeast of the country, and the government has had to respond to pockets of violence against the religious Alawite minority along Syria’s coast.

— Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of persistent

Adjective

Volatile job numbers, stubborn inflation and changes to the Fed’s communications style are all stirring up uncertainty in markets and raising the stakes for upcoming economic data releases — including this week’s inflation report.

— John Towfighi, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
The softening job market may complicate the calculation for the Federal Reserve, which is also battling stubborn inflation.

— Scott Horsley, NPR, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of stubborn

Adjective

The Cubs have been relentless against lefties this season, and that pressure continued Wednesday with lefty Jackson Kent, a Lake Park graduate from Hanover Park, making his major-league debut for the Nationals.

— Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
The brutal nausea and vomiting of norovirus, for instance, subsides in one to three days; even the relentless diarrhea of cyclosporiasis can let up in a couple of days with an antibiotic.

— Erica Sloan, Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of relentless

Verb

More recently, a bear came within a few feet of a boy in Torrington before being chased away by the family’s dog.

— Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
Carrington chased Cunningham down from behind as the Fever guard went up for a layup and caught her across the head and neck area, sending Cunningham crashing to the floor.

— Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of chased

Adjective

So why were the Board of Peace and mediators insistent on moving forward with the plan now?

— Mkhaimar Abusada, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2026
James Madison was insistent that Congress was the most important and powerful branch, especially the House, which was closest to the people and, being elected every two years, would infuse new blood and new ideas into Congress in perpetuity.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2026

Definition of insistent

Adjective

At first determined to capture him, little by little Araí starts to understand, and eventually, to identify with the villain.

— Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
Abel opens the wallet Berkshire Hathaway’s CEO Greg Abel, who took over from Buffett at the start of the year, appears determined to put the record cash hoard amassed by Warren Buffett to work on buybacks and stock purchases.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of determined

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dogfights

dogged

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“Dogged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dogged. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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