pertinacious

[ pur-tn-ey-shuhs ]

adjective

1. holding tenaciously to a purpose, course of action, or opinion; resolute.

   Synonyms: persevering

2. stubborn or obstinate.

   Synonyms: dogged

3. extremely or objectionably persistent:

   a pertinacious salesman from whom I could not escape.

pertinacious

/ ˌpɜːtɪˈnæsɪtɪ; ˌpɜːtɪˈneɪʃəs /

adjective

1. doggedly resolute in purpose or belief; unyielding
2. stubbornly persistent

Derived Forms

• pertinacity, noun
• ˌpertiˈnaciously, adverb

Other Words From

• perti·nacious·ly adverb
• perti·nacious·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pertinacious¹

First recorded in 1620–30; pertinaci(ty) + -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of pertinacious¹

C17: from Latin pertināx, from per- (intensive) + tenāx clinging, from tenēre to hold

Example Sentences

As it was useless arguing with so pertinacious a disputant we were compelled humbly to submit.

From Project Gutenberg

The old man was pertinacious, and many whispers had to be made into Barry's ear before the matter could be settled.

From Project Gutenberg

Carlyle attributes his defeat and downfall to his pertinacious pursuit of a shallow logic to its utmost consequences.

From Project Gutenberg

"There never was a man played his game worse," resumed St. George, who with a pertinacious persistence continued the topic.

From Project Gutenberg

History cannot produce another instance of a struggle so prolonged and so pertinacious.

From Project Gutenberg