1
as in persistent
continuing despite difficulties, opposition, or discouragement
a pertinacious little boy who was determined to catch and collect reptiles
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stubborn
sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
a pertinacious salesman who would simply not take "No!" for an answer
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in persistence
a steadfast adherence to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
without the pertinacity of the suffragists, voting rights for women would never have become a reality
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pertinacious
Jess Bidgood, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Feb. 2023
Barletta’s pertinacious reputation on immigration, from his time as mayor of Hazleton to his four terms in the U.S. House, is at center stage this year in his campaign to defeat Sen. Bob Casey’s bid for a third term.
—Chris Brennan, Philly.com, 25 June 2018
Adjective
But Kerry, the pertinacious diplomat and former Massachusetts senator, sees too much to do — and insisted in an interview with The Boston Globe there is too much to possibly achieve — to quit just yet.
—Jess Bidgood, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Feb. 2023
Barletta’s pertinacious reputation on immigration, from his time as mayor of Hazleton to his four terms in the U.S. House, is at center stage this year in his campaign to defeat Sen. Bob Casey’s bid for a third term.
—Chris Brennan, Philly.com, 25 June 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pertinacious
Adjective
-
The 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva displayed polished tannins, vibrant red fruit, and a graceful, persistent finish.—
Jessica Dupuy,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
-
Not long after their April wedding, Peltz denied any rumors of drama, telling Variety that there was no clash over the wedding dress whatsoever, despite the persistent rumors.—
Gillian Telling,
People.com,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
Still, the stubborn media silence continued unabated.—
Nate Rogers,
Vulture,
22 May 2025
-
United needed to play perfect football to unlock a stubborn defence, but struggled to push past competency.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Noun
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By doing this, Els revealed the persistence of a parallel Afrikaner consciousness that remembers Apartheid not with shame, but with pride and nostalgia.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 May 2025
-
Your commitment will require endurance, grace, and persistence.—
Liz Simmons,
StyleCaster,
27 May 2025
Adjective
-
Wallen is still insistent about how those roots remain central to his music.—
Jon Caramanica,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
-
And so, what was once a lazy, crazy, charming afternoon daydream of a movie is now a frantic, insistent, often unfunny sci-fi comedy.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
21 May 2025
Adjective
-
Following Meghan's statements, Eldridge is adamant that her relatable role isn't convincing.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
29 May 2025
-
In early previews and pre-release memos, the developers have been adamant that, despite targeting a more casual audience with some more forgiving elements, this is meant to be enjoyed by people who have spent hundreds of hours in the main game and its 2024 expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2025
Noun
-
The Home Service Insurance segment experienced a decline in premiums, attributed to strategic actions to improve sales quality and persistency, as well as economic pressures such as inflation.—
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom,
Quartz,
13 Mar. 2025
-
The Home Service Insurance segment experienced a decline in premiums, attributed to strategic actions to improve sales quality and persistency, as well as economic pressures such as inflation.—
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom,
Quartz,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Armstrong is less resolute, however, when asked how much President Trump’s election to a second term affected his sense of urgency.—
Adam B. Vary,
Variety,
30 May 2025
-
Xi’s government has portrayed itself as a resolute defender of the Chinese nation and mocked its opponent.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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Alternatively, seersucker remains a steadfast warm-weather favorite—especially for those who appreciate a touch of New England preppiness.—
Brett F. Braley-Palko,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
-
The single combines the guitarist’s weighted influence with the música mexicana group’s steadfast ambition.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pertinacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pertinacious. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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