TENACIOUS Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

tenacious

adjective

tə-ˈnā-shəs

Definition of tenacious next

as in persistent

continuing despite difficulties, opposition, or discouragement a tenacious trainer, she adheres to her grueling swimming schedule no matter what

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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

Examples of tenacious in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Starboard, one of the largest and most tenacious activist funds, has amassed a roughly $1 billion position in the pharmaceutical firm, CNBC previously reported. —

Rohan Goswami, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2024 Jude Law is a tenacious FBI agent hunting down a neo-Nazi terrorist group who has been behind a recent string of bank robberies and car heists in order to finance an armed uprising against the U.S. government in The Order. —

Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Oct. 2024 Today, tenacious conservation efforts have increased the population to more than 500, resulting in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species changing the birds’ status in 2018 from critically endangered to endangered. —

Katie Hunt, CNN, 5 Oct. 2024 That from a man small in stature but nippy and tenacious, not to mention technically gifted—these characteristics have kept him at the top level in Spain. —

Henry Flynn, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tenacious

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tenacious.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.