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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

Examples 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
With his dogged service to his clients and powerful internal drive for success, Mr. Gehring will surely continue to make profound impacts on the field of finance, finding opportunities for prosperity for himself and others. Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 29 Nov. 2024 Pueyo is a dogged defender who can shoot the ball at a decent clip from 3-point range. Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic, 16 Apr. 2024
Verb
The real issue—one that’s dogged him for all seven episodes—is his retirement planning. Teresa Ghilarducci, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024 But the Adams team has also been dogged by problems. Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dogged 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dogged
Adjective
  • Or has her persistent unhappiness caused serious health issues?
    Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 6 Dec. 2024
  • Yet, persistent frustration over elevated prices under the Biden-Harris administration contributed to voters' decision last month to return Donald Trump to the White House.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The Fed’s preferred inflation measure — the Personal Consumption Expenditures price index — is due Friday and could similarly show stubborn price pressures.
    Bryan Mena, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024
  • While the overall economic picture is starting to look better, stubborn inflation and the prospect of new tariffs when President-elect Donald Trump takes office seem to give mid-market leaders pause.
    Megan Poinski, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Israeli actress Noa Cohen portrays Mary, Israeli actor Ido Tako plays her husband, Joseph, and Oscar-winner Anthony Hopkins appears as Herod the Great, the tyrannical leader on a relentless quest to find and kill the Messiah.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
  • But beyond the sparkle and the prestige, his work remains an intimate letter to the lavishing beauty of the Italian artisanship and his own relentless pursuit of beauty and innovation in the modern world.
    Fairchild Studio, WWD, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • According to the star, Heller was insistent that the dog have blue eyes and red hair like Adams.
    Lauren Huff, EW.com, 7 Dec. 2024
  • Democratic senators have been especially insistent that background checks are needed for all of Trump’s nominees before they can be considered for confirmation by the Senate.
    Dan Mangan, CNBC, 3 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The company has long maintained that privacy is a fundamental human right and has been adamant that the information stored on its devices be accessible only to the people that own them.
    Thomas Brewster, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Despite the abuse Drea and her kids have experienced, the mother of three is adamant about keeping her ex-husband’s last name.
    Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Riley is an extremely creative, hardworking and determined student.
    Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Mia seems determined to rope as many people into her chaos as much as possible, consequences be damned.
    Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Again, this is a hard problem and is being avidly pursued by everyone in this realm.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
  • The only New York team that pursued Max Fried was the Yankees.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • With spot fires continuing to flare up, officials urged students and staff to remain on campus.
    Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Human Rights Watch earlier this month urged FIFA to reject the Saudi bid because the nation has not committed to protecting the migrant laborers that will likely be hired to build the massive infrastructure needed to host such a tournament.
    Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near dogged

Cite this Entry

“Dogged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dogged. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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