tenacity
Americannoun
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the quality of being tenacious, or of holding fast; persistence.
the amazing tenacity of rumors.
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the quality of retaining something.
the tenacity of memory.
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the quality or property of holding together firmly.
testing the tenacity of the old book's binding.
Related Words
See perseverance.
Other Word Forms
- overtenacity noun
Etymology
Origin of tenacity
First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin tenācitās equivalent to tenāc- (stem of tenāx ) “holding fast,” derivative of tenēre “to hold” + -itās -ity ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"We are so impressed by Alanah's tenacity in raising the issue," they said.
From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026
Smart’s tenacity was a key ingredient to the defensive effort that locked down the Knicks and Timberwolves, and James, revered by coaches and teammates for his defensive communication, stepped up to anchor the defense too.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026
In the past decade Petrou also began channeling her professional talents and tenacity into a more-personal mission.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026
It’s impossible to watch “All the President’s Men” and not feel inspired by Woodward and Bernstein’s tenacity.
From Salon • Mar. 7, 2026
“No, it isn’t. The Mellower doesn’t have a name,” Kuda said with his usual bulldog tenacity.
From "The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm" by Nancy Farmer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
