tenacious

adjective

tə-ˈnā-shəs How to pronounce tenacious (audio)
Definition of tenaciousnext
1
as in persistent
continuing despite difficulties, opposition, or discouragement a tenacious trainer, she adheres to her grueling swimming schedule no matter what

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in adhesive
tending to adhere to objects upon contact you'll have a devil of a time getting those tenacious burrs off of your wool sweater

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word tenacious different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of tenacious are stalwart, stout, strong, sturdy, and tough. While all these words mean "showing power to resist or to endure," tenacious suggests strength in seizing, retaining, clinging to, or holding together.

tenacious farmers clinging to an age-old way of life

When is it sensible to use stalwart instead of tenacious?

The words stalwart and tenacious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stalwart suggests an unshakable dependability.

stalwart environmentalists

When might stout be a better fit than tenacious?

While in some cases nearly identical to tenacious, stout suggests an ability to endure stress, pain, or hard use without giving way.

stout hiking boots

In what contexts can strong take the place of tenacious?

In some situations, the words strong and tenacious are roughly equivalent. However, strong may imply power derived from muscular vigor, large size, structural soundness, intellectual or spiritual resources.

strong arms
the defense has a strong case

When would sturdy be a good substitute for tenacious?

The meanings of sturdy and tenacious largely overlap; however, sturdy implies strength derived from vigorous growth, determination of spirit, solidity of construction.

a sturdy table
people of sturdy independence

When is tough a more appropriate choice than tenacious?

Although the words tough and tenacious have much in common, tough implies great firmness and resiliency.

a tough political opponent

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tenacious This suspect has now been stopped in his tracks because of the diligent and tenacious work done by investigators at both the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. —Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2025 Fortunately, Justin Springer is a tenacious producer, and Jesse is a great writer. —Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025 From the pioneering Sojourner to the tenacious Perseverance, rovers have become our eyes and ears on Mars. —Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 19 Aug. 2025 Upon moving to Albuquerque in 2019 to train at Jackson Wink MMA Academy, Pico has added a strong grappling game to his already elite wrestling and tenacious striking. —Brian Martin, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tenacious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenacious
  1. persistent
  2. adhesive
  3. stubborn
  4. sticky
  5. resolute
  6. insistent
Adjective
  • Breaking barriers in ceramics But scaling up ceramic 3D printing has been a persistent roadblock.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Pollsters and analysts say the trend underscores persistent polarization and voter unease outside the president's core Republican base.
    — Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of persistent
Adjective
  • To make gilded pumpkins, cover them in gold spray paint or use adhesive and gold leaf, then place them throughout your fall porch display.
    — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Thanks to advances in the category—stronger adhesive, sleeker designs, more varied sizing—fake nails have never looked better and lasted longer.
    — Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of adhesive
Adjective
  • Inflation is stubborn, unemployment is rising and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has even confirmed that Gen Z grads just can’t get a break right now.
    — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Clean With Vinegar And Dish Soap Dish soap cuts through grease and grime to make removing stubborn dirt easier.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025
Definition of stubborn
Adjective
  • In nearby Thai Town, don’t miss sai ua and khao soi at Amphai Northern Thai Food, followed by mango sticky rice at Bhan Kanom Thai.
    — Emily Wilson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
  • An attentive banker can help monitor the progress of legal documentation, serving as an intermediary in case there are any sticky business issues.
    — Frank Williamson, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Definition of sticky
Adjective
  • These days, Pynchon is a resolute New Yorker.
    — John Lopez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Their response to the player’s incendiary statement last week was to release their own extraordinary one and become even more resolute in their position regarding a transfer.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Definition of resolute
Adjective
  • On the other hand, skeptics and cynics tend to be insistent right now that the clean-up activity is not going to last very long.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Many were half-baked at best and designed for clicks, comments and likes — the insistent demand of the internet age.
    — Editorial, Boston Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of insistent

Browse Nearby Words

tenable
tenacious
tenaciousness
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Cite this Entry

“Tenacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenacious. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.

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