See more synonyms for tenacious on Thesaurus.com- holding fast; characterized by keeping a firm hold (often followed by of): a tenacious grip on my arm; tenacious of old habits.
- highly retentive: a tenacious memory.
- pertinacious, persistent, stubborn, or obstinate.
- adhesive or sticky; viscous or glutinous.
- holding together; cohesive; not easily pulled asunder; tough.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for tenacious
stubborn,
dogged,
steadfast,
tough,
resolute,
forceful,
persistent,
strong-willed,
unswerving,
determined,
stout,
spunky,
staunch,
relentless,
cohesive,
retentive,
adamant,
bound,
clinging,
coherent
Examples from the Web for tenacious
Contemporary Examples of tenacious
For half a century, Ferencz, a tenacious 95-year-old, has been on his own Lemkin-esque campaign.
But tenacious Albanian partisans kept reinserting the claim.
Ware, a tenacious pass-rusher, is a 7-time Pro Bowler and the Cowboys all-time leader in sacks, with 117 in nine seasons.
Attention all you Darwinists still battling the tenacious Creationists (and losing miserably)!
“The only way to get justice is to patient and persistent and tenacious,” Browder says.
Historical Examples of tenacious
He knew that here was a bold and tenacious spirit, kin to that of Grant.
My mother's imagination was as vivacious, but not as tenacious as my own.
She seldom showed any anger; but when she did it was tenacious, and slow to be appeased.
Ganymede was of a tenacious mettle, and of this he now afforded proof.
To the man who had done him some service, of tenacious memory.
British Dictionary definitions for tenacious- holding or grasping firmly; forcefula tenacious grip
- retentivea tenacious memory
- stubborn or persistenta tenacious character
- holding together firmly; tough or cohesivetenacious cement
- tending to stick or adheretenacious mud
Word Origin for tenacious
C16: from Latin tenāx, from tenēre to hold
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for tenaciousadj.c.1600, from Latin tenaci-, from tenax "holding fast" (see tenacity). Related: Tenaciously; tenaciousness.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
- Clinging to another object or surface; adhesive.
- Holding together firmly; cohesive.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
