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Definition of dogged

dogged

/ˈdɔː.ɡɪd/
dog · ged
Adverb:doggedly
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dogged Lexical Profile

dogged Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Having or showing tenacity and grim persistence in the face of difficulty or opposition.

Example

"Her dogged determination to finish the research project eventually led to a major scientific breakthrough."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for dogged
Antonyms
View all antonyms for dogged

Word Nuance & Usage

As an adjective meaning tenacious, 'dogged' is pronounced with two syllables (/ˈdɔːɡɪd/), whereas the past tense and past participle of the verb 'dog' (meaning to follow closely or plague) is pronounced as a single syllable (/dɔːɡd/).

• Nearby Words

dogfighting
dogfish
dogfox
dogged
doggedly
doggedness
doggerel

Word Origin & Etymology

Dating back to the early 14th century, 'dogged' originally meant 'having the malicious or surly qualities of a cur' before shifting by the 18th century to highlight the positive loyalty and stubborn persistence of hunting dogs.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Dogged. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/dogged
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