When pronounced as two syllables (dog ged), dogged is an adjective to describe something or someone as unstoppable or persistent. He, she, or it will do whatever it takes to get want they want and nothing will get in their way.
The adverb form is doggedly, while the noun form is doggedness.
When dogged is pronounced as one syllable (dogd) , it is the past tense form of the verb dog, which means to track or follow someone persistently, like a hound on someone’s scent. A project can also be dogged with problems, or has persistent trouble or worry.
The verb form has been around for longer, by about a century.
Examples
A top concern for most multinational companies doing business in China the last year has been the Chinese government’s dogged crackdown against corruption. [Forbes]
With so much more source material left on his shelves, Connelly said the TV version of “Bosch” could run for several years if Amazon Prime subscribers respond well to the live-action interpretation of the dogged detective and the mysteries he solves throughout a divided Los Angeles. [SF Gate]
He had a towering presence over British politics for three decades but Leon Brittan’s career was dogged by controversy. [Express]
The Leinster prop Cian Healy also returns after hamstring trouble that has dogged him since September to take a seat on the bench. [The Guardian]
One mother, a Jeannie Crutchfield of Casper, Wy., dogged her daughter with a video camera across school grounds, loudly scolding the girl as she followed her from class to class. [CS Monitor]