tenaciously

American  

[tuh-ney-shuhs-lee] / təˈneɪ ʃəs li /

adverb

1. 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.

2. 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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Other Word Forms

• overtenaciously adverb
• untenaciously adverb

Etymology

Origin of tenaciously

tenacious ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Sarat argued that cases like Williams' push the country closer toward one day ending the death penalty, despite some states "tenaciously clinging" to it.

From Salon

Osborne had taken just one shot to that point as the Cougars worked tenaciously to deny the All-Pac-12 guard the ball.

From Los Angeles Times

"It's just another reason why we are tenaciously and tirelessly fighting for him to come home."

From BBC

Short on time, Black defends tenaciously and nearly claws back into the game: 25.

From Washington Times

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

Related Words

• adamantly
• decisively
• doggedly
• persistently
• resolutely
• staunchly
• steadfastly
• strictly
• stubbornly