tenaciously
Americanadverb
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in a strong, tight, or secure manner.
With its creeping roots and clawed tendrils, the invasive cat’s claw vine clings tenaciously to almost any surface.
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in a persistent or stubborn manner.
Traditional pastoralist societies have tenaciously held on to their customs and rituals in the face of tremendous pressure from governments bent on development.
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Markram shared an unbroken 143-run partnership with South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma, who was hampered by a hamstring injury but tenaciously stayed at the crease to play his part with an unbeaten 65.
From BBC • Jun. 13, 2025
Short on time, Black defends tenaciously and nearly claws back into the game: 25.
From Washington Times • Nov. 7, 2023
First he had to pry off an interloper: a limpet, a coin-size, hat-shaped snail that normally clings tenaciously to tidal zone rocks but had taken up residence on the gray epoxy seal protecting the sensor.
From Science Magazine • Nov. 1, 2023
For Taylor Swift fans who tenaciously procure those infamously scarce golden tickets to her shows, there are no deep cuts, certainly no throwaway tracks.
From Salon • Oct. 13, 2023
Of course I could whomp up a medium storm or a small earthquake in good taste and proper proportion, but in this account I have clung tenaciously, perhaps foolishly, to the truth.
From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
