1
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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
And be tenacious on behalf of life on Earth.
—
Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
Southern Bastards show follows a tenacious military vet into Craw County, Alabama, in search of her estranged father.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025
Again, the fix is more tenacious on-ball pressure.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 28 Oct. 2025
Dachshunds are part of the hound group, according to breed classifications, and are often described as brave and tenacious.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tenacious
Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
Southern Bastards show follows a tenacious military vet into Craw County, Alabama, in search of her estranged father.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025
Again, the fix is more tenacious on-ball pressure.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 28 Oct. 2025
Dachshunds are part of the hound group, according to breed classifications, and are often described as brave and tenacious.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tenacious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenacious
Adjective
-
Besides the fragility of household budgets, these persistent financial pressures reveal the critical role that financial knowledge plays in helping individuals adapt, plan, and protect themselves against volatility.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
LogoPowered byScale logo At least 114 people have died and 127 remain missing in central Philippines after a typhoon caused destruction and widespread flooding, which local officials suggest could have been prevented if not for persistent graft in flood-control projects.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The species has an adhesive plate on its head that helps to create a kind of vacuum seal, allowing the fish to grab a whale and hang on for the ride.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Make your custom linens with DIY adhesive foam stamps and fabric paint by cutting leaf shapes from craft foam.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
That tone—of pain, of surprise, of a stubborn refusal to be reduced or diminished—is everywhere in it.—
Questlove,
The Atlantic,
7 Nov. 2025
-
If the stain is stubborn, add a few drops of dish soap to the water and vinegar mixture.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Next, add the pumpkin and peanut butter and blend until the mixture is sticky.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
-
At the heart of this first of what could be many such trials is the premise that social media and its algorithms and sticky attraction have harsh consequences of thoughts of suicide, depression, sleep disruption, eating disorders, body dysmorphia, and anxiety.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
But Sarah remains resolute, Bert tamps down his desire to make a quick buck — for a while, at least — and the situation starts to draw national attention, thanks to the involvement of a white civil rights attorney and a Black reporter from up north.—
Joe Leydon,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Despite his anger, the woman remained confused but resolute.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Due to her insistent efforts, Yennefer’s army is growing, giving The Witcher the chance to namecheck several old friends from the show’s run, including Marti Södergren and the priestess Nenneke.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Though Love is insistent that Hole will not reunite, she’s linked up with Auf der Maur over the years (sadly, their appearance at a Planned Parenthood benefit was cancelled due to the pandemic).—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tenacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenacious. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share