Definition of TENACIOUS (original) (raw)
1
b
: tending to adhere or cling especially to another substance
2
a
: persistent in maintaining, adhering to, or seeking something valued or desired
a tenacious advocate of civil rights
Did you know?
For the more than 400 years that tenacious has been a part of the English language, it has adhered closely to its Latin antecedent: tenax, an adjective meaning "tending to hold fast." Almost from the first, tenacious could suggest either literal adhesion or figurative stick-to-itiveness. Sandburs are tenacious, and so are athletes who don't let defeat get them down. We use tenacious of a good memory, too—one that has a better than average capacity to hold information. But you can also have too much of a good thing. The addition in Latin of the prefix per- ("thoroughly") to tenax led to the English word pertinacious, meaning "perversely persistent." You might use pertinacious for the likes of rumors and telemarketers, for example.
Synonyms
Choose the Right Synonym for tenacious
the defense has a strong case
stout suggests an ability to endure stress, pain, or hard use without giving way.
sturdy implies strength derived from vigorous growth, determination of spirit, solidity of construction.
people of sturdy independence
stalwart suggests an unshakable dependability.
stalwart environmentalists
tough implies great firmness and resiliency.
a tough political opponent
tenacious suggests strength in seizing, retaining, clinging to, or holding together.
tenacious farmers clinging to an age-old way of life
Examples of tenacious in a Sentence
But raw capitalism has also proved tenacious, evolving its own means of endlessly restimulating consumption … —
Nicholas Fraser, Harper's, November 2003 This "Southern Operation" would seal off China from outside help, thus underwriting victory in Japan's frustrating four-year war against Chiang Kai-shek's feckless but tenacious Chinese army. —David M. Kennedy, Atlantic, March 1999 We have been nominally democratic for so long that we presume it is our natural condition rather than the product of persistent effort and tenacious responsibility. —Benjamin R. Barber, Harper's, November 1993 Some people claim that by election day this year François Mitterrand had very little power besides the power of his own tenacious, authoritative, and austere persona. —Jane Kramer, New Yorker, 30 May 1988
The company has a tenacious hold on the market. a tenacious trainer, she adheres to her grueling swimming schedule no matter what
Recent Examples on the Web The role of his wife is a minor one, but Yumi Narita plays her as fragile and visibly frightened, which hints at a version of the story where his tenacious pursuit has darker qualities. —Catherine Bray, Variety, 13 Sep. 2024 Regarded as one of the elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners in MMA, Ortega recently welcomed the Ducks’ Radko Gudas and Ross Johnston, two of the most notoriously tenacious players in the NHL, to Huntington Beach Ultimate Training Center for some tips on grappling. —Brian Martin, Orange County Register, 12 Sep. 2024 But his tenacious and loopy ex-wife, the private eye Fiona (Gordon), could foil their master plan. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2024 Cancer is intuitive, tenacious and all about nostalgic cozy pieces, making a boyfriend-fit shirt the perfect pick. —Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 15 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tenacious 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tenacious.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Latin tenāc-, tenāx "holding fast, clinging, persistent" (from tenēre "to hold, occupy, possess" + -āc-, deverbal suffix denoting habitual or successful performance) + -ious — more at tenant entry 1, audacious
First Known Use
1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of tenacious was in 1607
Dictionary Entries Near tenacious
Cite this Entry
“Tenacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tenacious. Accessed 19 Sep. 2024.
Share
More from Merriam-Webster on tenacious
Last Updated: 17 Sep 2024 - Updated example sentences
Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!