dogged 1 of 2

1
2
3

dogged

2 of 2

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

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
My Undesirable Friends details Putin’s chilling effect on Loktev’s subjects, and different individuals become the main character across the movie’s runtime, including journalist Ksenia Mironova, a sweet but dogged reporter whose fiancé, fellow journalist Ivan Safronov, has been imprisoned. Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 13 Aug. 2025 Since then, the book has taken on a feeling of legacy, representing both a fitting memorial to Parker’s extraordinary journalism career and his dogged love for El Paso. Book Marks august 7, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
Tech stocks were dogged all month by discussion about whether AI was in a bubble. Dave Smith, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025 Those cases were among several that dogged Trump in the years between his presidential terms, including the New York fraud case and charges for election interference in Georgia brought by the Democratic prosecutor in Fulton County. Nicholas Riccardi, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dogged
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dogged
Adjective
  • Very persistent stream of bubbles; aromas of golden apples, lemon peel and yellow poppy.
    Tom Hyland, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Unequal wage growth adds to persistent wage gaps Certain demographic groups saw their incomes rise faster than others between 2023 and 2024.
    Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Viewers were quick to point out the hilarity of the dog's stubborn protest, with many suggesting that the dachshund had already claimed permanent rights to the bed.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The stubborn myth that Jews are too safe to be targets is colliding with a painful new reality.
    Andrew Weinstein, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Despite relentless political attacks and courtroom challenges, nearly all anti-DEI shareholder resolutions have failed, rejected by overwhelming margins at companies like Apple, Coca-Cola, and Berkshire Hathaway.
    Essence, Essence, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Where Welch pursued relentless growth and shareholder value maximization, Chouinard deliberately restrained Patagonia's expansion.
    Kyle Westaway, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss chased him and dragged him down from behind, landing on McCarthy’s ankle.
    Alec Lewis, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Free Cash Flow Fuels Dividends and Buybacks Veteran investors might remember past gold bull markets where companies, flush with cash, chased growth at any cost.
    Frank Holmes, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • By the time Kendra’s lies were discovered, the family was being hounded by debt collectors and were in danger of losing their home.
    Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The Vikings defense hounded Maye, a veteran unit that ranked second in takeaways last year and confounded veteran quarterbacks with its exotic pressure packages.
    Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Tess Crowley—The Deseret News via AP This year the threat grew more insistent.
    Eric Cortellessa, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The Georgia firebrand, who has been insistent that the United States stay out of affairs abroad, has attempted similar amendments to both the NDAA and appropriations bills in past years and recently, with no success.
    Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • However, her mother is adamant about keeping the canine off the antique chair.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Sandlin was adamant that his engineering team has done everything possible to ensure no adverse impact to neighboring properties.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Saúl is a fixture at his father's bouts and already seems determined to follow in his father’s footsteps.
    Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Her flippers, each more than two feet long, scooped out sand and flung it to her sides in slow, determined strokes.
    M. Rajshekhar, Time, 11 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dogged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dogged. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on dogged

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!