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Definition of tenuous

tenuous

/ˈtɛn.ju.əs/
ten · u · ous
Adverb:tenuously
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tenuous Lexical Profile

tenuous Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Very weak, slight, or insubstantial, especially regarding an argument, connection, or position.

Example

"The historian noted that the link between the two ancient civilizations remained tenuous at best."

2

Very slender, fine, or thin in physical form or consistency.

Example

"Morning sunlight glistened on the tenuous threads of the spiderweb stretched across the garden gate."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for tenuous

• Nearby Words

tenting
tentlike
tentpole
tenuous
tenuously
tenure
tenured

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 16th century from Latin tenuis ('thin, slender, fine'), ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root *ten- ('to stretch').

Cite this Entry

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