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 The Real Betis midfielder has been one of the most combative and tenacious performers in Europe this season, embodying the exact spirit Pochettino wants to instil. —Mark Carey, New York Times, 9 June 2025 How does one summon up the life of a God-fearing, loving, tenacious, optimistic, voice of reasoning, confidant, mother within a few words? —Aaron McNaughton, New York Daily News, 7 June 2025 Cue young, tenacious talent who weren’t as recognizable to fair-weather fans but were willing to graft and play as a team. —Alex Tabet, NBC news, 31 May 2025 Rust is an excellent skater, a tenacious puck retriever, and a prolific scorer. —Harman Dayal, New York Times, 30 May 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
  • Yet some of the most pervasive threats for LGBTQ+ performers don’t come in-person — they’re instead issued online, via social media accounts mounting hate campaigns that result in persistent threats of violence and death.
    — Stephen Daw, Billboard, 12 June 2025
  • Still, empowering women athletes to reach their full potential depends on closing persistent gaps in pay, media coverage and funding.
    — Liz Elting, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
Definition of persistent
Adjective
  • Unlike apparel factories, footwear factories may use 200 or more manufacturing processes, from molding to adhesive application and high-temperature assembly, so optimizing those activities to use less energy, and cleaner energy, is important, Polk said.
    — Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 4 June 2025
  • The affected product, the fresh cut cucumber, was packaged in a clear circular plastic container with a clear lid and white adhesive label, with the code 00262969000006 and dated up to May 24, 2025.
    — Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Definition of adhesive
Adjective
  • Their relationship can be difficult as AM is stubborn and likes to have her way always.
    — Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
  • Rick McConnell said that this sounds like his mom, who is stubborn.
    — Bella Waters, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2025
Definition of stubborn
Adjective
  • With their sticky bodies, hammerhead worms may get stuck to pet fur, but the worms will not irritate their skin, Morgan-Olvera added.
    — Greta Cross, USA Today, 14 June 2025
  • Leave out the nasty heat and sticky humidity with an air conditioner that will work in a tent.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 12 June 2025
Definition of sticky
Adjective
  • Coupling calmness with resolute silence can be masterful.
    — John Baldoni, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
  • But as the match progressed, Djokovic – who turned 38 on Thursday – showed the kind of resolute determination which appeared to have deserted him of late, breaking Hurkacz four times in a tiebreak after each player had held serve throughout the second set.
    — Jamie Barton, CNN Money, 24 May 2025
Definition of resolute
Adjective
  • And so, what was once a lazy, crazy, charming afternoon daydream of a movie is now a frantic, insistent, often unfunny sci-fi comedy.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 May 2025
  • Wallen is still insistent about how those roots remain central to his music.
    — Jon Caramanica, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Definition of insistent

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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 19 Jun. 2025.

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