Tenacious Definition & Meaning

American

British

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms tenacious American [tuh-ney-shuhs] / təˈneɪ ʃəs /

adjective

1. holding fast; characterized by keeping a firm hold (often followed byof ).

   a tenacious grip on my arm; tenacious of old habits.

2. highly retentive.

   a tenacious memory.

3. persistent, stubborn, or obstinate.

   Synonyms: obstinate, persistent, pertinacious, dogged

4. adhesive or sticky; viscous or glutinous.

   Synonyms: clingy

5. holding together; cohesive; not easily pulled asunder; tough.

tenacious British / tɪˈneɪʃəs, tɪˈnæsɪtɪ /

adjective

1. holding or grasping firmly; forceful

   a tenacious grip

2. retentive

   a tenacious memory

3. stubborn or persistent

   a tenacious character

4. holding together firmly; tough or cohesive

   tenacious cement

5. tending to stick or adhere

   tenacious mud

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

• overtenacious adjective
• overtenaciousness noun
• tenaciously adverb
• tenaciousness noun
• untenacious adjective
• untenaciousness noun

Etymology

Origin of tenacious

First recorded in 1600–10; tenaci(ty) + -ous

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.

A high pressure system lingering off California is helping to push any possible storms north toward the Pacific Northwest and Canada, leaving little to interfere with the tenacious clouds over Central California.

From Los Angeles Times

Marcus Smart, who had starred in his role as a tenacious defender and tertiary ball-handler without James, played just 17 minutes off the bench, his fewest of the year.

From Los Angeles Times

“She’s tenacious. When she acquires something that she wants, she has the ability to make things happen,” Churchville said.

From Salon

“People in Middleton had seen the Hall fall into disrepair for over 30 years,” said DePree, who has impeccable blond highlights and a tenacious streak.

From The Wall Street Journal

While her work may not always be the most glamorous, it is consistent, tenacious and a crucial element of her sides' make-ups.

From BBC

Related Words

• cohesive
• determined
• dogged
• forceful
• persistent
• relentless
• resolute
• spunky
• staunch
• steadfast
• stout
• strong-willed
• stubborn
• tough
• unswerving

Definitions 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.