tenacious
Americanadjective
-
holding fast; characterized by keeping a firm hold (often followed byof ).
a tenacious grip on my arm; tenacious of old habits.
-
highly retentive.
a tenacious memory.
-
persistent, stubborn, or obstinate.
- Synonyms:
- obstinate, persistent, pertinacious, dogged
-
adhesive or sticky; viscous or glutinous.
- Synonyms:
- clingy
-
holding together; cohesive; not easily pulled asunder; tough.
adjective
-
holding or grasping firmly; forceful
a tenacious grip
-
retentive
a tenacious memory
-
stubborn or persistent
a tenacious character
-
holding together firmly; tough or cohesive
tenacious cement
-
tending to stick or adhere
tenacious mud
Other Word Forms
- overtenacious adjective
- overtenaciousness noun
- tenaciously adverb
- tenaciousness noun
- untenacious adjective
- untenaciousness noun
Etymology
Origin of tenacious
First recorded in 1600–10; tenaci(ty) + -ous
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A high pressure system lingering off California is helping to push any possible storms north toward the Pacific Northwest and Canada, leaving little to interfere with the tenacious clouds over Central California.
From Los Angeles Times
Marcus Smart, who had starred in his role as a tenacious defender and tertiary ball-handler without James, played just 17 minutes off the bench, his fewest of the year.
From Los Angeles Times
“She’s tenacious. When she acquires something that she wants, she has the ability to make things happen,” Churchville said.
From Salon
“People in Middleton had seen the Hall fall into disrepair for over 30 years,” said DePree, who has impeccable blond highlights and a tenacious streak.
While her work may not always be the most glamorous, it is consistent, tenacious and a crucial element of her sides' make-ups.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
