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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
  • Put another way, even though China will remain a persistent and formidable challenger to the United States, and even though much of Southeast Asia seems to be gravitating toward China, Beijing still has a lot of work to do to allay concerns and win the trust of regional states.
    Yuen Foong Khong, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
  • Despite their diversity, these groups share common threads of systemic exclusion from traditional financial services, contributing to persistent inequities in wealth and opportunity.
    Kevin Cohee, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • One of the people that is most stubborn in their support of these spendy projects is Senator Todd Young, a Republican from Indiana.
    Roger Valdez, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • For indoor brick, keep it simple by trying a slightly damp brush to sweep away stubborn dirt.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), one of the members who led the meeting, was insistent that the cap would fall below $40,000, one Senate Republican said.
    Al Weaver, The Hill, 11 June 2025
  • Dalton is insistent that Americans will become more vulnerable without research partnerships abroad.
    Peter Slevin, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
Adjective
  • President Donald Trump has been adamant his tariffs will bring factory jobs back to American shores.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 June 2025
  • Among the holdouts are members of the SALT Caucus, who have been adamant that any deal from the Senate that does not match the one that passed the House is dead on arrival.
    Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Like most political arguments, each stakeholder adopts a resolute adversarial position that disallows finding common ground.
    Harvey Levine, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2025
  • In statements reported by state media on Sunday, China’s top political adviser Wang Huning echoed Beijing’s position, calling for the promotion of national reunification with Taiwan and for resolute opposition to Taiwan independence.
    Dylan Butts, CNBC, 16 June 2025
Adjective
  • Despite setbacks — including talks of a walkout, which stalled when leadership got wind of the strategic move — the cheerleaders remained steadfast in their pursuit.
    Angelique Jackson, Variety, 25 June 2025
  • Hamas has remained steadfast against Israel’s attacks in Gaza.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • All that being said, the controls can still feel frustratingly obstinate at times, and get in the way of the overall experience.
    Hayes Madsen, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2025
  • More: McConnell called Trump 'despicable' and a 'narcissist,' cried after Capitol riot, new book says Now out of GOP leadership, McConnell has emerged as the most obstinate member of a loose cohort of Republican senators willing to criticize the president’s policies and nominees.
    Riley Beggin, USA Today, 6 Jan. 2021

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Cite this Entry

“Pertinacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pertinacious. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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