Tenacious

Meaning

Tenacious means determined to continue doing something despite difficulties or opposition. It can also describe something that holds onto something firmly and is difficult to remove.

Pronunciation

/təˈneɪ.ʃəs/

Word Forms

• Adjective: tenacious
• Noun: tenacity
• Adverb: tenaciously

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

• tenacious determination — extremely strong determination to achieve something.
• tenacious effort — persistent effort that continues despite difficulties.
• tenacious grip — a very strong hold that is difficult to break.
• tenacious pursuit — determined and persistent efforts to achieve or obtain something.
• tenacious character — a personality marked by persistence and determination.
• tenacious resistance — persistent opposition that is difficult to overcome.

Example Sentences

• Her tenacious determination eventually helped her achieve her goal.
• The detective was tenacious in his search for the truth.
• The climber's tenacious grip kept him from falling.
• He is known for his tenacious approach to difficult problems.
• The small plant survived because of its tenacious ability to grow in harsh conditions.

Literary Example

Example:

“clung with grip tenacious”

— Peter Newell, The Slant Book

Here, tenacious describes a grip that holds firmly and does not easily let go. The word emphasizes the strength and persistence of the bulldog's hold on the handle of the go-cart.

Story Workshop

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