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tenacious

adjective
te·​na·​cious | \ tə-ˈnā-shəs How to pronounce tenacious (audio) \

Definition of tenacious

1a : not easily pulled apart : cohesive a tenacious metal
b : tending to adhere or cling especially to another substance tenacious burs
2a : persistent in maintaining, adhering to, or seeking something valued or desired a tenacious advocate of civil rights tenacious negotiators
b : retentive a tenacious memory
Other Words from tenacious Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Tenacious Has Latin Roots More Example Sentences Learn More about tenacious

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Other Words from tenacious

tenaciously adverb
tenaciousness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for tenacious

strong, stout, sturdy, stalwart, tough, tenacious mean showing power to resist or to endure. strong may imply power derived from muscular vigor, large size, structural soundness, intellectual or spiritual resources. strong arms the defense has a strong case stout suggests an ability to endure stress, pain, or hard use without giving way. stout hiking boots sturdy implies strength derived from vigorous growth, determination of spirit, solidity of construction. a sturdy table people of sturdy independence stalwart suggests an unshakable dependability. stalwart environmentalists tough implies great firmness and resiliency. a tough political opponent tenacious suggests strength in seizing, retaining, clinging to, or holding together. tenacious farmers clinging to an age-old way of life

Tenacious Has Latin Roots

For all of its nearly 400 years, "tenacious" has adhered closely to its Latin antecedent: tenax, an adjective meaning "tending to hold fast." Almost from the first, "tenacious" could suggest either literal adhesion or figurative stick-to-itiveness. Sticker burrs are tenacious, and so are athletes who don't let defeat get them down. We use "tenacious" of a good memory, too - one that has a better than average capacity to hold information. But you can also have too much of a good thing. The addition in Latin of the prefix per- ("thoroughly") to "tenax" led to the English word pertinacious, meaning "perversely persistent." You might use "pertinacious" for the likes of rumors and telemarketers, for example.

Examples of tenacious in a Sentence

But raw capitalism has also proved tenacious, evolving its own means of endlessly restimulating consumption … — Nicholas Fraser, Harper's, November 2003 This "Southern Operation" would seal off China from outside help, thus underwriting victory in Japan's frustrating four-year war against Chiang Kai-shek's feckless but tenacious Chinese army. — David M. Kennedy, Atlantic, March 1999 We have been nominally democratic for so long that we presume it is our natural condition rather than the product of persistent effort and tenacious responsibility. — Benjamin R. Barber, Harper's, November 1993 Some people claim that by election day this year François Mitterrand had very little power besides the power of his own tenacious, authoritative, and austere persona. — Jane Kramer, New Yorker, 30 May 1988 The company has a tenacious hold on the market. a tenacious trainer, she adheres to her grueling swimming schedule no matter what
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Recent Examples on the Web

 John Terry and Nemanja Vidic were tenacious, uncompromising centre-backs with a clear understanding of the game, whilst Patrice Evra was almost infallible and Dani Alves was like an auxiliary winger. — SI.com, "FIFPro Awards: Ranking the 6 Greatest World XIs," 5 Sep. 2019 Reichert advises them to be tenacious, work hard and stick with their craft. — Adriana Ramirez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "This Port Washington candy shop goes through more than 6,000 pounds of chocolate each year," 26 July 2019 In newsrooms, some reporters are known for their tenacious ability to root out information, others for their deft ability with delicate interviews, and still others for their finesse as writers. — Bryan Marquard, BostonGlobe.com, "Gerard O’Neill, Spotlight editor who defined investigative reporting in Boston, dies at 76," 23 Aug. 2019 Adrian Phillips, a tenacious, smart player who made the Pro Bowl special teams last year, likely will replace James, while the other safety, Rayshawn Jenkins, works deep. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: James’ injury a blow to Chargers, but team still equipped to succeed," 16 Aug. 2019 The Bosnian is known for his tough defending and tenacious attitude on the pitch. — Nada Bashir And Bianca Britton, CNN, "Security 'incidents' force Arsenal stars Mesut Özil and Sead Kolašinac to miss season opener," 9 Aug. 2019 But Hong Kong – and Taiwan – show that freedom and justice put down tenacious roots. — The Christian Science Monitor, "The green grass grows all around," 9 Aug. 2019 His elastic, tenacious body is the empirical proof, more convincing than any lab result. — Sally Jenkins, courant.com, "How does Tom Brady do it? It starts with science and ends with something less precise," 5 Aug. 2019 In his first year with Los Angeles, Thornwell, who is known for his tenacious defense, tallied 3.9 points in 15.8 minutes. — Chris Fedor, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Cavaliers agree to one-year deal with Sindarius Thornwell," 3 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tenacious.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of tenacious

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for tenacious

Latin tenāc-, tenāx "holding fast, clinging, persistent" (from tenēre "to hold, occupy, possess" + -āc-, deverbal suffix denoting habitual or successful performance) + -ious — more at tenant entry 1, audacious

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More Definitions for tenacious

tenacious

adjective
How to pronounce tenacious (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of tenacious

: not easily stopped or pulled apart : firm or strong
: continuing for a long time
: very determined to do something

See the full definition for tenacious in the English Language Learners Dictionary

tenacious

adjective
te·​na·​cious | \ tə-ˈnā-shəs How to pronounce tenacious (audio) \

Kids Definition of tenacious

1 : persistent a tenacious fighter
2 : not easily pulled apart

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