doggedly

USAGE SUMMARY

"doggedly" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who is persistent or determined in their efforts. Example: She pursued her goals doggedly, despite the obstacles. Alternative expressions include "tenaciously," "persistently," and "steadfastly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Representative Trey Gowdy, the chair of the House select committee on Benghazi that has doggedly been pursuing Clinton, sent out a statement before Clinton Land could: "Because Secretary Clinton has created more questions than answers, the select committee is left with no choice but to call her to appear at least twice".

The Guardian

Mackinnon would doggedly raise the need for legislation over the next few parliamentary sessions, only to be repeatedly rebuffed.

The Guardian

The Conservatives have doggedly refused to specify how these cuts will be achieved, leaving Labour to claim that the cuts are likely to fall on tax credits including for those in work and that families earning £12,000 or more would lose at least £500 a year.

The Guardian

(Still, at the beginning of the 21st century, a leading European economic magazine doggedly insisted on illustrating a piece about Poland with a peasant riding on a cart. Today, carts are to be seen in museums).

The Guardian

American football is relatively unpopular internationally because it is inane, and slowly but surely doggedly provincial Americans are coming around to the superior form of football enjoyed passionately by billions around the globe.

The Economist

Even if one does, a majority of Republicans in the House may well oppose it, on the grounds that it would reward people who deliberately broke the law.That is why reform advocates tried so doggedly to drum up a big majority in the Senate.

The Economist

Veterans of the cold war are still doggedly pursuing their own service medal.

The Economist

But Ms Senequier doggedly defended the traditional business, and prevailed.

The Economist

Polisario is getting more encouragement from other African countries; most now recognise Sahrawi statehood, including, recently, Kenya and South Africa.Morocco and Polisario doggedly stick to their apparently irreconcilable positions.

The Economist

Howls were heard from opponents who have doggedly fought the plan for years.To appease concerns about the environmental impact of a third runway, Geoff Hoon, the transport secretary, promised that only newer aircraft which meet strict noise and emissions criteria would be allowed to use it when it opens in 2019 or 2020.

The Economist

They doggedly track down the current holders of composition, performance and audio rights required for release, wherever they are.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "doggedly" when you want to emphasize that a person is continuing their efforts despite significant fatigue, repeated setbacks or overwhelming opposition.

Common error

Avoid using "doggedly" to describe routine or easy tasks. Since the word implies a 'dog-like' tenacity against hardship, using it for trivial activities can sound melodramatic or ironic.

Linguistic Context

As an adverb, "doggedly" modifies verbs, adjectives or other adverbs to indicate that an action is performed with stubborn persistence. In the data provided by Ludwig, it frequently modifies verbs of movement or pursuit like "pursuing", "tracking down" and "hacks away".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Wiki

0.4%

Social Media

0.1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "doggedly" is a highly effective adverb for writers who need to convey a sense of unyielding determination. Ludwig AI confirms that its most natural environment is high-level journalism and formal reporting. Whether describing a politician's refusal to drop a bill or a researcher's tireless pursuit of data, the word suggests a level of endurance that goes beyond mere repetition. It is grammatically robust and semantically rich, making it an excellent tool for adding descriptive weight to any narrative involving struggle or perseverance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tenaciously

emphasizes a firm, almost unbreakable grip on an idea or goal

persistently

focuses more on the repetition of an action over time

relentlessly

suggests an intensity that never decreases or yields

steadfastly

implies a loyal and unwavering commitment to a cause

resolutely

highlights a conscious and firm decision-making process

stubbornly

often adds a slight negative connotation of being unreasonably fixed

unwaveringly

focuses on the lack of hesitation or doubt

pertinaciously

a more formal and literary synonym for persistent effort

unremittingly

suggests a continuous effort without any intervals or relaxation

sturdily

implies a robust and physically solid type of persistence

FAQs

How do I use "doggedly" in a sentence?

You use it to describe an action done with great persistence, for example: "She pursued the lead <a href="/s/doggedly" target="_blank" rel="alternative">doggedly until she found the truth."

What is the difference between "doggedly" and "stubbornly"?

While both mean persistent, "<a href="/s/stubbornly" target="_blank" rel="alternative">stubbornly" often implies a negative refusal to change, whereas "doggedly" is typically more neutral or even admirable.

Can I say "tenaciously" instead of "doggedly"?

Yes, "<a href="/s/tenaciously" target="_blank" rel="alternative">tenaciously" is a very close synonym that emphasizes a firm grip on a task or belief.

Is "doggedly" a formal word?

It is considered neutral to formal and is widely used in high-quality journalism, such as in <a href="/s/The+Economist" target="_blank" rel="alternative">The Economist.