PERTINACIOUS Synonyms: 153 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

pertinacious

adjective

ˌpər-tə-ˈnā-shəs

Definition of pertinacious

as in persistent

continuing despite difficulties, opposition, or discouragement a pertinacious little boy who was determined to catch and collect reptiles

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 a pertinacious salesman who would simply not take "No!" for an answer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pertinacious

Adjective

Those capabilities could help address a persistent challenge in counter-drone warfare.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
This cycle of price increases serves not only to offset immediate fuel price spikes, but also to make up for unadjusted pricing power lost in recent years due to flight overcapacity, fare suppression, and persistent inflation.

— , CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of persistent

Adjective

An honor that seems to bring things full circle for that stubborn little girl who dreamed of performing on stages around the world from her farm.

— Ilaria Perrotta, Vanity Fair, 24 Oct. 2026
How To Remove Leaf Stains With Chlorine Bleach Bleach is very effective at removing stubborn leaf stains, along with mildew and moss.

— Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of stubborn

Adjective

There’s something inherently comical about this insistent, creepy overfamiliarity.

— Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2026
Those close to Al-Khelaifi are insistent that there is no conflict of interest, with the chair recusing himself from the LFP board over the past 12 months to remove any potential issue.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of insistent

Adjective

Seems unlikely that Kiffin would be adamant that the Big Ten's nine-game conference schedule is dragging down their results.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
And Ballmer and the Clippers remain adamant the penalties—and the allegations of misconduct—are incorrect.

— Joshua Hong, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of adamant

Adjective

Meanwhile, waiting in the wings is a man of few words — and initially, few feelings, or so thinks Marianne — the steadfast Colonel Brandon (Herbert Nordrum).

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
The poem continues with more verses about Burns’s steadfast love, but beyond that, nothing really happens.

— René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of steadfast

Adjective

And the Ithacan more than lives up to his reputation as the most obstinate hero in history, regularly taunting Poseidon (Miles Anderson) despite knowing the god will delay his return home.

— Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 24 July 2026
When councilman Steve Novick threatened to sue, the Blazers recoiled and became obstinate.

— Jason Quick, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Definition of obstinate

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“Pertinacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pertinacious. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of pertinacious

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