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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 Barletta’s pertinacious reputation on immigration, from his time as mayor of Hazleton to his four terms in the U.S. House, is at center stage this year in his campaign to defeat Sen. Bob Casey’s bid for a third term. Chris Brennan, Philly.com, 25 June 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pertinacious
Adjective
  • Concerns about a potential recession have also been heightened by an unpredictable stock market, declining consumer confidence and persistent inflationary pressures.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Porziņģis helped the Celtics edge out a win on a night that Brown, dealing with a persistent knee issue, missed the entire fourth quarter and overtime.
    Jay King, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Despite growing consternation and concern expressed by economists and CEOs, Trump administration officials have been stubborn in defending its trade policies.
    Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Ocasio-Cortez might have a good shot at cracking that stubborn nut.
    Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But that’s where Adolescence pushes its insistent finger down our fragile parental psyches.
    Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Marsh was insistent there was still more to unlock in Vandersloot — even at 36, even in Year 15 in the league.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Paul has been adamant that the tariffs won’t help the U.S. His frustration with the tariffs came as seven GOP senators signed on to a bipartisan bill that sought to have Congressional oversight over the president’s tariffs.
    Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The 12-time Emmy award-winner was also adamant about sharing her cancer journey with her audience—hoping that her experience might offer support and guidance to others facing similar challenges.
    Joanne Fowler, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side In the big-screen adaptation of this true story, Sandra Bullock played Leigh Anne Tuohy, the resolute Southern mother who adopts teen Michael Oher.
    Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Conscientiously addressing a national crisis of domestic abuse while also lunging for the heartstrings, the film is an uneven balance of grainy social realism and crowd-pleasing uplift, but Cruz’s resolute performance just about holds it together.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • While industries evolve and AI transforms work, a company’s commitment to its weekly all-hands meeting or quarterly offsite can remain steadfast.
    Susanne Biro, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Trump’s comments echo those made by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who on Sunday said the administration will remain steadfast in its plans for reciprocal tariffs on major U.S. trading partners, even in the face of the global stock market sell-off.
    Tanaya Macheel, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Glide your steam mop across obstinate stains or spills and eradicate the mess along with the bacteria.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Still, this is a strong, young group with one large elephant in the room - who will play third base, the infinitely superior defender and more agreeable team player Bregman or the better hitter and more obstinate Rafael Devers?
    Tony Blengino, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pertinacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pertinacious. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

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