Tenacious — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /tə-ˈnā-shəs/ te·na·cious

Meaning & Definition of Tenacious

Tenacious (adjective)

  1. aggressively persistent in maintaining, adhering to, or seeking something valued or desired
  2. enduring especially when challenged
  3. retentive

Tenacious (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. continuing despite difficulties, opposition, or discouragement

    "a tenacious trainer, she adheres to her grueling swimming schedule no matter what"

    similar: dogged, insistent, patient, persevering, persistent, pertinacious
    related: assured, certain, dedicated, determined, firm, hell-bent, intent, positive, resolute, resolved, single-minded, sure, adamant, bullheaded, hardened, hardheaded, headstrong, implacable, indurate, mulish, obdurate, obstinate, opinionated, peevish, perverse, pigheaded, self-willed, stiff-necked, stubborn, unregenerate, unyielding, willful, unfaltering, unhesitating, unwavering, resistant, wayward, wrongheaded, constant, devoted, faithful, good, loyal, staunch, steadfast, steady, true, indomitable, unconquerable, hard, inflexible, relentless, stern, unbending, unflinching, unrelenting
    near: quitting, surrendering, yielding, faltering, hesitant, hesitating, irresolute, vacillating, wavering, disloyal, faithless, false, fickle, inconstant, perfidious, traitorous, treacherous

  2. tending to adhere to objects upon contact

    "you'll have a devil of a time getting those tenacious burrs off of your wool sweater"

    similar: adherent, adhesive, clingy, gluey, glutinous, gummy, sticky, tacky, viscid
    related: gelatinous, gooey, ropy, syrupy, viscous, pitchy, tarry
    opposite: nonadhesive
    near: nonviscous

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Tenacious

The most common words with a similar meaning to Tenacious:

dogged, insistent, patient, persevering, persistent, pertinacious, adherent, adhesive, clingy, gluey, glutinous, gummy, sticky, tacky, viscid

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Tenacious

Words with the opposite meaning of Tenacious:

nonadhesive

Related Words for Tenacious

assured, certain, dedicated, determined, firm, hell-bent, intent, positive, resolute, resolved, single-minded, sure, adamant, bullheaded, hardened, hardheaded, headstrong, implacable, indurate, mulish, obdurate, obstinate, opinionated, peevish, perverse, pigheaded, self-willed, stiff-necked, stubborn, unregenerate

Near Antonyms of Tenacious

quitting, surrendering, yielding, faltering, hesitant, hesitating, irresolute, vacillating, wavering, disloyal, faithless, false, fickle, inconstant, perfidious, traitorous, treacherous, nonviscous

Word Forms of Tenacious

Derived words: tenaciously (adverb), tenaciousness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Tenacious

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

First known use: 1607

Frequently Asked Questions about Tenacious

What does "Tenacious" mean?

"Tenacious" means aggressively persistent in maintaining, adhering to, or seeking something valued or desired. As an adjective, it is defined as: aggressively persistent in maintaining, adhering to, or seeking something valued or desired. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Tenacious"?

Other words for "Tenacious" include dogged, insistent, patient, persevering, persistent, pertinacious, adherent and adhesive. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Tenacious" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Tenacious"?

There are 78 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Tenacious". Common alternatives include dogged, insistent, patient, persevering, persistent, pertinacious, adherent, adhesive, clingy and gluey.

What is the opposite of "Tenacious"?

Antonyms of "Tenacious" include nonadhesive. Near antonyms include quitting, surrendering, yielding and faltering.

How do you use "Tenacious" in a sentence?

Examples of "Tenacious" in a sentence: "a tenacious trainer, she adheres to her grueling swimming schedule no matter what"; "you'll have a devil of a time getting those tenacious burrs off of your wool sweater".

Is "Tenacious" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Tenacious" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Tenacious"?

"Tenacious" is pronounced /tə-ˈnā-shəs/ and divided into syllables as te·na·cious.

What is the origin of the word "Tenacious"?

"Tenacious" comes from Latin tenāc-, tenāx "holding fast, clinging, persistent" (from tenēre "to hold, occupy, possess" + -āc-, deverbal suffix denoting habitual or successful performance) + -ious tenant:1, audacious. First known use: 1607.