1
Persistent effort
Continue despite obstacles or delay.
Example
The tenacious researcher pursued the missing records for years.
tenacious
/təˈneɪʃəs/ · tuh-NAY-shuhsadjective
Holding firmly or persisting with determination.
Use tenacious when the context supports this precise meaning: holding firmly or persisting with determination.
What tenacious Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Firm grip
Cling strongly to a surface or object.
Example
The vine’s tenacious roots penetrated the wall.
3
Lasting influence
Remain difficult to remove or dislodge.
Example
The myth proved tenacious even after its source was disproved.
Use tenacious Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The tenacious researcher pursued the missing records for years.
The vine’s tenacious roots penetrated the wall.
The myth proved tenacious even after its source was disproved.
Precision Matters
Tenacious overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
tenacious
vs.Means holding firmly or persisting with determination.
obstinate
Means stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion, course, or behaviour.
tenacious
vs.Means holding firmly or persisting with determination.
resilient
Means capable of recovering quickly from difficulty, damage, or change.
tenacious
vs.Means holding firmly or persisting with determination.
ephemeral
Means lasting for a very short time.
tenacious
vs.Means holding firmly or persisting with determination.
recalcitrant
Means stubbornly resistant to authority, control, or correction.
Test tenacious in Context
The journalist persists determinedly despite obstacles.
1
Repeated rejections did not discourage the ___ journalist, who continued investigating until the records were released.