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 Such a tenacious player, aggressive and someone who gave everything. Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025 From the pioneering Sojourner to the tenacious Perseverance, rovers have become our eyes and ears on Mars. Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 19 Aug. 2025 Upon moving to Albuquerque in 2019 to train at Jackson Wink MMA Academy, Pico has added a strong grappling game to his already elite wrestling and tenacious striking. Brian Martin, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2025 Get inspired by a small group of industrious, tenacious, and daring men and women who were born into slavery and broke new ground to attain the highest levels of financial success. Essence, 7 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tenacious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenacious
Adjective
  • DaSilva said that, aside from Gabrielle, tropical development elsewhere in the Atlantic is likely to remain minimal because of a strong area of high pressure and the persistent dry, dusty air in the middle of the ocean.
    John Bacon, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Facing China's growing activity in the Arctic, along with Russia's persistent military presence, the Pentagon has called for a stronger posture and enhanced capabilities.
    Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The adhesive system carries enough glue for multiple attachments in one mission so the operator can relocate to a better spot if needed.
    David Hambling, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Also included with the Crystal Water Monitor are mounting brackets, screws, adhesive, and plastic ties for attaching the monitor to a pool ladder or the side of a hot tub.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Of all the bad-hair-day culprits, matted hair can be the most stubborn and frustrating.
    Grace McCarty, Glamour, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Spills can be blotted (never rubbed) with a dry cloth since the fabric is non-absorptive, and for more stubborn stains, dry cleaning is recommended.
    Zoë Sessums, Architectural Digest, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The tariffs also look to have driven up sticky inflation, with Trump pressuring Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to cut rates, in great part to get the housing market moving again.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Soap/Shampoo Residue While soap and shampoo don't create dust themselves, their residue creates the perfect sticky place for dust particles to attach to.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • These days, Pynchon is a resolute New Yorker.
    John Lopez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Their response to the player’s incendiary statement last week was to release their own extraordinary one and become even more resolute in their position regarding a transfer.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • There's one other very important detail that Roker was insistent on including in Weather Hunters.
    Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 1 Sep. 2025
  • There are layers of grunts and bangs; there is an increasingly insistent electronic score by Steve Jablonsky and, loudest of all, there are numerous ’70s needle drops that fully exploit the melodrama of prog rock.
    Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Tenacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenacious. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on tenacious

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!