View synonyms for tenuous

tenuous

[ ten-yoo-uhs ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

lacking a sound basis, as reasoning; unsubstantiated; weak:
a tenuous argument.
of slight importance or significance:
He holds a rather tenuous position in history.
Synonyms: trifling, trivial, insignificant
Antonyms: substantial, important
lacking in clarity; vague:
He gave a rather tenuous account of his past life.
thin or slender in form, as a thread.
Synonyms: attenuated
Antonyms: thick
thin in consistency; rare or rarefied.

tenuous

/ ˈtɛnjʊəs; tɛˈnjʊɪtɪ /

Origin of tenuous¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; tenu(ity) + -ous

Origin of tenuous¹

C16: from Latin tenuis

Her hold on her position at the hospital—and thus, her survival—is tenuous and she knows it.

Perhaps his reluctance stems from the fact that he has only tenuous connections to Hungary these days.

This new, although tenuous, dialogue with Iran offers real possibilities for change.

Though there are many claims that implicate it in improved brain function, the evidence in support of this finding is tenuous.

The relationship between law and ethics, from Selma to Ferguson, is tenuous, and often contentious.

Nancy tried to forget what life was, and smiled and blossomed in tenuous sunrise beauty.

The mind of man is ever the tenuous instrument upon which are playing the invisible forces of inspiration.

Up to the very edge of that life-giving blast of mineral-laden gas the tenuous creatures came crowding.

As they fell on the front ranks of the charging Terrestrials, the form, on which the rays impinged grew suddenly tenuous.

In other spots, drooping above the walls could be seen the giant fronds of banana plants, or tenuous palm tree tops.

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