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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

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
Michelle has a chip on her shoulder and takes more of a dogged, sledgehammer approach. Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025 My favorite answers to this question are populated with an insightful librarian or a dogged schoolteacher. Literary Hub june 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
Verb
But it’s been dogged by controversy over resurfaced racist tweets by trans star Gascón. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2025 This year, one of the Best Picture contenders has been dogged by controversy, while in several other categories, the race feels a lot more wide open than in past years. Sean Collins, Vox, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dogged
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dogged
Adjective
  • Declining growth in the fashion division and the Asia-Japan geography seems to be a common denominator for both luxury groups, but these results signal a downturn that is persistent and increasingly difficult to dismiss, likely hinting to a deeper issue.
    Clara Ludmir, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
  • The persistent low percentages of Black and Indigenous students at UT and the hyper-partisan politics at the state and federal levels add importance and a sense of sacredness to this community that Adeeko and others want to protect.
    Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Adjective
  • Beneath its surface were deep, dark scars—grooves cut through the rock by old lava flows, now overgrown with stubborn green.
    Tess Moormans, Travel + Leisure, 27 July 2025
  • The fizzing reaction can help remove stubborn residues.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 27 July 2025
Adjective
  • Abbott's relentless criticism of Biden over the spike in unauthorized crossings that started soon after the Democratic former president's inauguration in January 2021 is credited with helping make immigration a leading issue in the 2024 campaign.
    John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • Phoenix has previously gone 154 consecutive days without rain, enduring relentless summer heat that has exceeded 110°F.
    Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
Adjective
  • The watch flashes a seven, an insistent chirp accompanying the number.
    Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 22 July 2025
  • Many of them are insistent the PA should play a role in governing Gaza, which Israel has opposed.
    ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • Since camp got underway, he's been adamant that winning games is far more important than his personal stats.
    Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
  • Liverpool communicated an interest in acquiring the Sweden international for around £120m, though Newcastle have been adamant for months that Isak is not for sale.
    David Ornstein, New York Times, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • Despite low turnout thus far, Morales is determined to make this work.
    Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Angela Craig lost brain activity on March 15 but wasn’t clinically determined brain dead until March 18, according to testimony from Aurora Police Department Detective Bobbi Jo Olson.
    Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 31 July 2025
Verb
  • Prosecutors in the first four months of 2024 pursued nearly 19,000 soldiers, who either abandoned their posts or deserted, according to the Ukrainian parliament.
    Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Wreckage, oil and human remains washed up on beaches from South Florida to Long Island, New York, and horrified civilians watched from Atlantic City’s boardwalk as German subs pursued and sank merchant ships in broad daylight.
    David Wolman, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Earlier in December, Pope Benedict XV urged a holiday truce.
    Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024
  • But, in 2006, someone urged him to see The Lives of Others, Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s movie about East Germany.
    Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 23 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Dogged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dogged. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

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