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
Etymology
Origin of tenacious
First recorded in 1600–10; tenaci(ty) + -ous
Explanation
Use tenacious to mean "not easily letting go or giving up," like a clingy child who has a tenacious grip on his mother's hand. A strong grip or an unyielding advocate might both be described as tenacious, a word whose synonyms include resolute, firm, and persistent. The word comes from the Latin root tenax, which means "holding fast." The basketball commentator Marv Albert, impressed by a defender's skill, once uttered the sound bite, "That's some tenacious D!" ("D" is short for "defense.") The musicians Jack Black and Kyle Gass borrowed the phrase for the name of their comedy-rock band, Tenacious D.
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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.
Two years after considering retirement, Jake Bauers has emerged as the embodiment of Milwaukee’s tenacious approach.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026
Despite their roster of stars and their unprecedented payroll, they stood no chance against the younger, hungrier and more tenacious Brewers, who overwhelmed their wealthier opponent with a relentless energy the Dodgers couldn’t match.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
Sandro Tonali, the £100m midfielder from Newcastle, was overshadowed by Villa's tenacious skipper McGinn - a £2.75m buy from Hibs eight years ago.
From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026
However, Kevin’s tenacious new client Wile E. Coyote refuses to settle.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026
Along the way, I had to learn how to be tough and tenacious or risk losing the fight before it even started.
From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
