as in persistence
a steadfast adherence to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
being an effective detective requires doggedness as well as cleverness
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Recent Examples of doggedness
Yet even Smith’s dismissal doesn’t lead to the quick finale most are expecting, with Brydon Carse and Will Jacks showing the doggedness and determination that England have lacked so often in the series.
—
Tim Spiers, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
Netflix's latest crime drama is resonant and relentless, offering audiences a sweaty, anxious look at doggedness and sacrifice in the face of a cruel, indifferent economy.
—Allison Degrushe Published, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Dissent among the Moscow elite could rise at how the Kremlin has dismissed diplomatic off-ramps in its war of choice, in favor of military doggedness and an unsustainable proxy conflict with NATO.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
Tim Spiers, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
Netflix's latest crime drama is resonant and relentless, offering audiences a sweaty, anxious look at doggedness and sacrifice in the face of a cruel, indifferent economy.
—Allison Degrushe Published, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Dissent among the Moscow elite could rise at how the Kremlin has dismissed diplomatic off-ramps in its war of choice, in favor of military doggedness and an unsustainable proxy conflict with NATO.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doggedness
Noun
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The distorting design of the Senate and the Electoral College, the filibuster’s persistence, and centralized leadership have all contributed to legislative ossification.—
Duncan Hosie,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Twenty years of hard work and persistence, blessed by occasional moments when chance had generously smiled on him.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Home Service Insurance segment experienced a decline in premiums, attributed to strategic actions to improve sales quality and persistency, as well as economic pressures such as inflation.—
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom,
Quartz,
13 Mar. 2025
-
The tannins are well structured yet soft and the wine has great persistency in the finish.—
Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen,
Robb Report,
2 May 2023
Noun
-
There is genius in Tomlin’s stubbornness.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
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The Dilbert principle — traced back to a quote in a 1995 strip — posited that managers and higher-ups are actually successful morons whose stubbornness is confused for real leadership qualities.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The White House does not seem to have a workaround to Putin’s obstinacy, and Rubio told Hannity that all other parties seeking to end the conflict are hopeless.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Dec. 2025
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The gaps between Kyiv and Moscow remain too explicit, and their reasons for obstinacy too drenched in sacrifice, anxiety and blood.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
28 Nov. 2025
Noun
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If anything, Lane Kiffin’s decision to bolt for LSU seemed to harden Ole Miss’ resolve, pushing the Rebels to the best season in school history — and within a game of their first national championship game.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
9 Jan. 2026
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If anything, Lane Kiffin’s decision to bolt for LSU seemed to harden Mississippi’s resolve, pushing the Rebels to the best season in school history — and within a game of their first national championship game.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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An unsung hero for Burlington was junior forward Leon Sekandi, who exhibited grit and determination while guarding Sarpong, who is an incredibly tough matchup at 6-foot-7.—
Justin Barrasso,
Boston Herald,
21 Jan. 2026
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Taken together, these measures mark a decisive turning point for Ubisoft and reflect our determination to confront challenges head-on to reshape the Group for the long term.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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China has gained, not suffered, from this obduracy.—
JONATHAN A. CZIN,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Nov. 2025
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Related: ‘Neglected diseases’ are anything but neglected by the billion-plus people living with them One possible reason for this obduracy is that noma begins as a dental disease, and dental diseases have long been underappreciated global health concerns.—
John Button,
STAT,
16 Dec. 2023
Noun
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Afterward, Rubio apparently described his intransigence to Trump, and the summit was quickly cancelled.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
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But this outcome is more the product of Putin’s intransigence than European diplomacy.—
Matthias Matthijs,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Doggedness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doggedness. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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