Synonym Chooser

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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tenacious The consensus All-American and Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year last season is a tenacious run blocker who has the ability to seek and destroy moving targets at the second level. Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025 Needham played a tenacious style of volleyball, overpowering defending state champion Newton North (20-25, 25-16, 25-16, 25-19) for an impressive road victory. Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 9 May 2025 Their acts of kindness are unrelenting, tenacious and completely unwavering. Rosemarie Truman, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025 Human memory is a curious thing — variable, porous and tenacious. A.o. Scott, New York Times, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for tenacious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenacious
Adjective
  • Season Two centers around a persistent cyborg journalist who starts excavating into Dr. Sleech's dubious past, uncovering some controversial incidents.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 17 May 2025
  • Social isolation keeps the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in a constant state of arousal, driving persistent cortisol release.
    Kim Samuel, Scientific American, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Old First Aid Supplies Technically, bandages don’t sport an expiration date, but over time, their adhesive parts can dry out and lose their stickiness.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2025
  • There is a significant opportunity to break that cycle by leveraging robotic assembly, digital adhesive technology, and automation to build a smarter, cleaner system from the ground up.
    Cam Myers, Sourcing Journal, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • When tragedy strikes on Michigan roads—when a car skids off an icy bend or a semi-truck barrels through a red light—victims are often left to face not only devastating injuries but also a daunting legal maze of corporate denials and stubborn insurers.
    William Jones, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • Get The Recipe Smart Move Similar recipes with beans and peas existed before then, but a challenge made to a stubborn chef named Helen Corbitt spurred the creation of Texas caviar.
    Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • The reviews and social conversation were becoming apparent that this had inserted itself into the culture in a really sticky way.
    Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2025
  • On my skin, the product feels a bit greasy and sticky, but again, much less so than DEET.
    Kristin Canning, Wired News, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • The closest thing that comes to mind is probably Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life, although this is Malick by way of Jane Campion and Michael Haneke, shifting between fleeting coming-of-age moments and scenes of resolute darkness and human cruelty.
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025
  • It was never sold in the U.S. thanks to the unwavering objections of a resolute reviewer at the FDA named Frances Oldham Kelsey.
    David Armstrong, CNN Money, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • The insistent piece ended with a piano on fire and Beyoncé yodeling, because why not? Beyoncé supported the most barbed material with evocative footage projected on a massive video wall.
    Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
  • Ahead of Pink Elephant, the Montreal collective known for its insistent politics and uplifting lyricism was scarce and guarded in its direct communications.
    Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 13 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Tenacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenacious. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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