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tenuous
[ ten-yoo-uhs ]
adjective
- lacking a sound basis, as reasoning; unsubstantiated; weak:
a tenuous argument.
- of slight importance or significance:
He holds a rather tenuous position in history.
Synonyms: trifling, trivial, insignificant
Antonyms: substantial, important
- lacking in clarity; vague:
He gave a rather tenuous account of his past life.
- thin or slender in form, as a thread.
Synonyms: attenuated
Antonyms: thick
- thin in consistency; rare or rarefied.
tenuous
/ ˈtɛnjʊəs; tɛˈnjʊɪtɪ /
adjective
- insignificant or flimsy
a tenuous argument
- slim, fine, or delicate
a tenuous thread
- diluted or rarefied in consistency or density
a tenuous fluid
Derived Forms
- tenuity, noun
- ˈtenuously, adverb
Other Words From
- tenu·ous·ly adverb
- tenu·ous·ness noun
- un·tenu·ous adjective
- un·tenu·ous·ly adverb
- un·tenu·ous·ness noun
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of tenuous1
Example Sentences
Whether Dr. Sasse’s indifference to the rankings led to his resignation is unclear, but the chasm between the president and the board of trustees seemed to develop as the university’s rankings status became more tenuous.
But here’s more good news: We are in the process of a free and fair election, upholding a democracy that has seemed tenuous at times these last few years.
As for ostensible dangers flowing from the “Caroline” ad, those were so tenuous that they didn’t give the state the right to act against the ad either.
He spoke of the difficulty the security service faces while dealing with "volatile, would-be terrorists with only a tenuous grip of ideologies".
Thus unfolds the real story of “White Bird,” which isn’t about Julian, who serves merely as a framing device and a tenuous link to the world of “Wonder.”
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