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Definition of tenacious

tenacious

/təˈneɪ.ʃəs/
te · na · cious
Adverb:tenaciously
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tenacious Lexical Profile

tenacious Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Not readily letting go of, giving up, or separated from an object, position, or principle; persistent and determined.

Example

"The investigative journalist was tenacious in her pursuit of the truth despite numerous obstacles."

2

Tending to adhere or cling firmly to another object or surface; cohesive or sticky.

Example

"Climbing ivy uses tiny, tenacious roots to anchor itself to stone walls."

3

Retaining facts, impressions, or information exceptionally well (especially of memory).

Example

"Blessed with a tenacious memory, the historian could recall dates and archival sources effortlessly."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for tenacious

• Nearby Words

ten
tenable
tenably
tenacious
tenaciously
tenaciousness
tenacity

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 16th century from Latin tenax ('holding fast, gripping'), derived from the verb tenere ('to hold').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Tenacious. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/tenacious
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