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

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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 That’s got to be the formula, first to slow the Rams’ tenacious pass rush. —Jeff Howe, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026 More typically, the figures in Marshall’s art are haunted by a past that refuses to relinquish its tenacious hold. —James Meyer, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026 Berry portrays Dandridge as wounded but tenacious, a complex person in an industry that didn't always know what to do with her. —Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Dec. 2025 But the suddenly tenacious Canucks bobbed, weaved and came away with a 5-4 shootoout win in a highly entertaining game. —Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 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
  • Witters attributed that persistent pessimism to political partisanship.
    — Jake Angelo, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
  • During his tenure, Massachusetts education leaders faced a mix of progress and persistent challenges.
    — State House News Service, Boston Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of persistent
Adjective
  • The romantic Netflix drama is set in London in the early 1800s, and while bandages existed, small adhesive bandages, like the one Araminta wore, didn't come around until later, a TikToker pointed out.
    — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Feb. 2026
  • During an initial ascent, athletes wear adhesive skins on the bottoms of their skis, which enable them to ski uphill.
    — Mark Scaglione, NBC news, 3 Feb. 2026
Definition of adhesive
Adjective
  • If that doesn’t solve the problem, try scrubbing stubborn spots with Bar Keeper’s Friend and a nonabrasive sponge.
    — Jessica Elliott, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Rusk recommends using wash and styling products that don’t contain silicones (like dimethicone), which can cause a stubborn coating to accumulate that clogs follicles on the scalp and prevents the hair from absorbing moisturizing ingredients.
    — Rebecca Strong, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of stubborn
Adjective
  • Inspect them for rust and any sticky residue which can be wiped away with WD-40 (which also help keep the hinges lubricated).
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 10 Feb. 2026
  • And inflation, while still sticky, has remained stable in recent months.
    — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of sticky
Adjective
  • Tillis remained resolute in holding up the president’s Fed chair nomination in protest over a Justice Department investigation of the current one.
    — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Sports have always represented one of humankind’s most resolute rejections of nihilism.
    — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of resolute
Adjective
  • The Royals were insistent on getting some outfield help.
    — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2026
  • So far, that information isn’t being provided (the first lady was insistent on a theatrical push around the globe).
    — Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 1 Feb. 2026
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 15 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tenacious

Nglish: Translation of tenacious for Spanish Speakers

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