DOGGED Synonyms: 253 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

dogged 1 of 2

adjective

ˈdȯ-gəd

Definition of dogged

as in persistent

continuing despite difficulties, opposition, or discouragement a madman who spent his life in dogged pursuit of power

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in stubborn

sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion your dogged adherence to a really lame argument is embarrassing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in relentless

showing no signs of slackening or yielding in one's purpose a dogged search for the missing piece of the puzzle

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dogged

2 of 2

verb

past tense of dog

as in chased

to go after or on the track of star athletes being dogged by fans when they're out in public

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in hounded

to subject (someone) to constant scoldings and sharp reminders tired of constantly having to dog their son about cleaning his room

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Smart, ambitious and dogged, she is not burdened by a dark past or traumatic pain or the generally dour outlook that plague so many of her peers. — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026 Despite the challenges, Miller said, dogged journalists continue to produce inspiring work. — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 4 May 2026

Verb

Brazil qualified from its group comfortably enough, but the 34-year-old Casemiro could struggle against a dynamic and dogged Japan. — David Hickey, NBC news, 29 June 2026 All this sprung to mind on Friday, against a Cape Verde side that were dogged, well-organised and capable of scoring spectacular goals. — Michael Cox, New York Times, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dogged

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dogged

Adjective

In his inital letter, Lehmkuhl agreed that there is an urgent need to clear debris and address the persistent odor of millions of pounds of rotting food at the site.

— Jasmine Mendez Follow, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Though effective medication exists, the issue is persistent in areas with a lack of easy access to testing, treatment and clean water so people don't rely on local bodies of water for drinking and bathing.

— William McCarthy, NPR, 4 July 2026

Definition of persistent

Adjective

Colombia earned its passage into the round of 16 with a 1-0 win over stubborn Ghana.

— Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Pickle Robot’s Physical AI unloaders tackle the dock door bottleneck, which is a stubborn pain point in inbound logistics, while AmbiStack handles the structured, high-volume stacking that feeds downstream operations.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 6 July 2026

Definition of stubborn

Adjective

Swiss brand On is rapidly disrupting Nike's long-standing dominance in the global running footwear market, alongside Hoka, by prioritizing relentless innovation over celebrity endorsements.

— Mark Faithfull, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
The story of America is a story of industry, technical skill, and relentless optimism for what the future holds.

— Mark Rayfield, Fortune, 1 July 2026

Definition of relentless

Verb

Businesses chased the trend, with clubs and day spas marketing group packages to bachelorettes, and cities like Nashville and Austin branding themselves as bachelorette party hot spots.

— Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 5 July 2026
Later, Gabriel tore Haaland’s shirt, the light-blue fabric trailing in the breeze as the pair chased a loose ball.

— Jack Lang, New York Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of chased

Adjective

The loud and insistent residents of Monterey Park showed that shaming and pressuring politicians can work.

— Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
What most interests me about The Emergency Playbook is how, beneath the sunny tone, there’s a calm but insistent moral outrage on display.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 June 2026

Definition of insistent

Adjective

While waiting to go to court, Zaayer remained adamant that Shawna needed to go to prison but was also convinced that David — who worked at the nearby jail — was protecting his wife from receiving an adequate punishment, per The Guardian.

— Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
But Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has been adamant that there are not enough votes in the Senate to pass the legislation, given the 60-vote filibuster threshold.

— Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 28 June 2026

Definition of adamant

Adjective

All etched into the face of a man who spent his presidency fighting to hold together a nation that seemed determined to tear itself apart.

— Chris Kenning, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Well, Ariana seems to remember, whereas Hudson is determined to just undo the breakup and pretend like none of it ever happened.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 2 July 2026

Definition of determined

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dogfights

dogged

doggedly

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“Dogged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dogged. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of dogged

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