1
2

Synonym Chooser

How is the word pertinacious distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of pertinacious are dogged, mulish, obstinate, and stubborn. While all these words mean "fixed and unyielding in course or purpose," pertinacious suggests an annoying or irksome persistence.

a pertinacious salesclerk refusing to take no for an answer

When can dogged be used instead of pertinacious?

The synonyms dogged and pertinacious are sometimes interchangeable, but dogged suggests an admirable often tenacious and unwavering persistence.

pursued the story with dogged perseverance

In what contexts can mulish take the place of pertinacious?

In some situations, the words mulish and pertinacious are roughly equivalent. However, mulish implies a thoroughly unreasonable obstinacy.

a mulish determination to have his own way

When is it sensible to use obstinate instead of pertinacious?

While the synonyms obstinate and pertinacious are close in meaning, obstinate implies usually an unreasonable persistence.

an obstinate proponent of conspiracy theories

When would stubborn be a good substitute for pertinacious?

Although the words stubborn and pertinacious have much in common, 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 pertinacious But Kerry, the pertinacious diplomat and former Massachusetts senator, sees too much to do — and insisted in an interview with The Boston Globe there is too much to possibly achieve — to quit just yet. Jess Bidgood, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Feb. 2023 Barletta’s pertinacious reputation on immigration, from his time as mayor of Hazleton to his four terms in the U.S. House, is at center stage this year in his campaign to defeat Sen. Bob Casey’s bid for a third term. Chris Brennan, Philly.com, 25 June 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pertinacious
Adjective
  • The Great Lakes region is being drenched by persistent lake-effect rains off Lake Michigan.
    Brandi D. Addison, Freep.com, 23 Oct. 2025
  • This resulted in persistent, runaway inflation and unmanageable national debt.
    Jim Nowlan, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Month over month, that would be the same stubborn pace that has persisted for more than two years.
    Steve Kopack, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Results show that microbial iron mining can immobilize toxic metals and convert stubborn pollutants into less harmful compounds.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Congressional Republicans were insistent on a continuing resolution (CR) that included rollbacks of key parts of the ACA.
    Jared Gans, The Hill, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Frequently, an ascending complex melody will level out into a single, insistent note; tempos accelerate and then accelerate again; her singers give up on words to wail like Klaxons.
    Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Back in January 2024, when Sportico was first to report on Florida State’s conversations with Sixth Street and Arctos Partners, many around the process were adamant to point out that those conversations were private credit (or private capital), not private equity.
    Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Giuffre was adamant that the pain, including several attempts at suicide in the past few years, was part of her story.
    Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Cody Balmer stood outside an iron fence surrounding the resolute brick mansion, waiting and watching the home where his target slept.
    Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
  • His fitness record and resolute performances playing a big role in helping Everton survive during a turbulent chapter in the club’s modern history.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Davis, a staunch libertarian, is one of the company’s steadfast defenders.
    David Peisner, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Odinga, who served prison time for his steadfast support for democracy and political reform, played a critical role in replacing a colonial-era charter with the country’s current constitution, which imposes clearer limits on presidential power.
    Ian Bremmer, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • As Bob throws a tantrum with the resistance’s obstinate operator, Sensei procures a rifle for Bob too.
    Robert Daniels, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The other parents in Julianna’s comments had a similarly good sense of humor about how weaning an obstinate toddler can sometimes feel like negotiating with a dictator.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 11 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Pertinacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pertinacious. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!