WordGarden.iotenacious
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /tɛnˈeɪʃəs/
US
- /təˈneɪʃəs/
Meanings
Adjective
determined and unwilling to give up
hard to remove, shake off, or separate because it clings or persists
Beyond the definition
Think of a tiny barnacle clinging to a rock in crashing waves - that's tenacious. It describes someone or something that holds on firmly and does not give up when things get tough. A tenacious lawyer will not let go of a case until every angle has been explored, and a tenacious climber keeps going up the mountain even when exhausted.
The word comes from the Latin tenax, meaning "holding fast." It is often used to praise qualities like perseverance and resilience, but it can also describe something that is hard to remove or get rid of. Think of a weed in your garden - you pull and pull, but it just keeps coming back.
To be tenacious means to hold firmly to something - whether it is a belief, a goal, or even a physical object - and refuse to let go easily. It implies a strong will, determination, and persistence in the face of obstacles. For example: "The detective was known for his tenacious pursuit of justice," meaning he would not stop until he solved the case.
Tenacious isn't just about stubbornness; it carries a positive connotation of strength and resilience. A tenacious athlete might push through pain to achieve their personal best, or a tenacious entrepreneur might overcome numerous setbacks to build a successful business.
However, "tenacious" can also describe something difficult to remove or erase. You might say, "The stain was surprisingly tenacious," meaning it would not wash out easily. Or, "A tenacious rumor continued to circulate despite being debunked." In these cases, the word highlights unwanted persistence.
Historically, the term was often used in legal contexts to describe a firm hold on property rights. Today, while still relevant legally, its usage has broadened to encompass any situation where unwavering determination is key.
So whether you are admiring someone's unyielding spirit or dealing with a stubborn problem, "tenacious" describes something that holds fast and refuses to be easily dislodged - in the best or worst of ways.
Examples
- 1
Journalism
She’s a tenacious reporter who keeps asking questions until she gets a clear answer.
- 2
Personal persistence
Even after three rejections, he stayed tenacious and applied again the next year.
- 3
Sports defense
The home team’s tenacious defense made it hard to score in the second half.
- 4
Community action
Local residents were tenacious in demanding safer roads after the accident.
- Patterntenacious in doing X
continuing firmly with that action
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Political control
The party kept a tenacious grip on power for more than a decade.
- Patterna tenacious grip on + power/control
control that is hard to break
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- tenacious effort
- tenacious defense
- tenacious pursuit of
Word family
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- tenaciousadjective