tenacious
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.
persistent, stubborn, or obstinate.
adhesive or sticky; viscous or glutinous.
holding together; cohesive; not easily pulled asunder; tough.
Origin of tenacious
1Other words for tenacious
Other words from tenacious
- te·na·cious·ly, adverb
- te·na·cious·ness, noun
- o·ver·te·na·cious, adjective
- o·ver·te·na·cious·ness, noun
- un·te·na·cious, adjective
- un·te·na·cious·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use tenacious in a sentence
Reivers with more than human tenaciousness had retained a glimmer of consciousness.
The Snow-Burner | Henry OyenThe fault of literary conversation in general is its too great tenaciousness.
Talks on Talking | Grenville Kleiser"Certainly, sir, you are gifted with tenaciousness," cried the captain.
The Waif of the "Cynthia" | Andr Laurie and Jules VerneThe tenaciousness of flowers is not known; their hardihood is not sufficiently admired.
I only wished to see you roused from your low spirits, and yet I add to them by my foolish tenaciousness.
The Mysteries of Paris, Volume 1 of 6 | Eugne Sue
British Dictionary definitions for tenacious
/ (tɪˈneɪʃəs) /
holding or grasping firmly; forceful: a tenacious grip
retentive: a tenacious memory
stubborn or persistent: a tenacious character
holding together firmly; tough or cohesive: tenacious cement
tending to stick or adhere: tenacious mud
Origin of tenacious
1Derived forms of tenacious
- tenaciously, adverb
- tenaciousness or tenacity (tɪˈnæsɪtɪ), noun
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
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