Synonym Chooser

How is the word tenacious different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of tenacious are stalwart, stout, strong, sturdy, and tough. While all these words mean "showing power to resist or to endure," tenacious suggests strength in seizing, retaining, clinging to, or holding together.

tenacious farmers clinging to an age-old way of life

When is it sensible to use stalwart instead of tenacious?

The words stalwart and tenacious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stalwart suggests an unshakable dependability.

stalwart environmentalists

When might stout be a better fit than tenacious?

While in some cases nearly identical to tenacious, stout suggests an ability to endure stress, pain, or hard use without giving way.

stout hiking boots

In what contexts can strong take the place of tenacious?

In some situations, the words strong and tenacious are roughly equivalent. However, strong may imply power derived from muscular vigor, large size, structural soundness, intellectual or spiritual resources.

strong arms
the defense has a strong case

When would sturdy be a good substitute for tenacious?

The meanings of sturdy and tenacious largely overlap; however, sturdy implies strength derived from vigorous growth, determination of spirit, solidity of construction.

a sturdy table
people of sturdy independence

When is tough a more appropriate choice than tenacious?

Although the words tough and tenacious have much in common, tough implies great firmness and resiliency.

a tough political opponent

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tenacious Further investigation revealed the tenacious Deinococcus radiodurans had not only survived but multiplied, defying all assumptions about life’s fragility. Scott Travers, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025 The culmination was a remarkable fadeaway jumper with Dillon Brooks’ hand in his face after Murray seemed to want the tenacious Brooks switched on him. Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 23 Mar. 2025 With the reopening just a few weeks away, the team sees the Veranda House’s return as a symbol of the town’s tenacious spirit. Mae Hamilton, Travel + Leisure, 21 Mar. 2025 Whatever the argument, the tenacious problem that the Trump administration will face is that neither the letter of the law nor historical precedents support peacetime use of the Alien Enemies Act. Daniel Tichenor, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tenacious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenacious
Adjective
  • The rapid rise of ransomware attacks, supply chain vulnerabilities and data breaches has created an environment of persistent uncertainty, leaving organizations grappling with how to stay resilient in the face of evolving threats.
    Francis Dinha, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • In a bold move to address one of America’s most persistent healthcare crises, Chicago Beyond has launched a groundbreaking fellowship initiative, committing $2 million to support four exceptional birth workers dedicated to improving Black maternal health outcomes nationwide.
    Melissa Noel, Essence, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Classrooms frequently have adhesive bandages for small cuts and sometimes have ice packs.
    Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2025
  • On affected vehicles, the cant rail stainless steel panel may delaminate at the adhesive joint, which may cause the panel to separate from the vehicle.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Despite growing consternation and concern expressed by economists and CEOs, Trump administration officials have been stubborn in defending its trade policies.
    Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Ocasio-Cortez might have a good shot at cracking that stubborn nut.
    Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Aphids excrete the sap as honeydew, leaving leaves sticky and susceptible to sooty mold.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Pitchers were becoming too dominant with the sticky stuff.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side In the big-screen adaptation of this true story, Sandra Bullock played Leigh Anne Tuohy, the resolute Southern mother who adopts teen Michael Oher.
    Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Conscientiously addressing a national crisis of domestic abuse while also lunging for the heartstrings, the film is an uneven balance of grainy social realism and crowd-pleasing uplift, but Cruz’s resolute performance just about holds it together.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • But that’s where Adolescence pushes its insistent finger down our fragile parental psyches.
    Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • But for the radical feminist Andrea Dworkin, who died in 2005 at the age of 58, the insistent antifeminism of some conservative women was never perplexing at all.
    Jennifer Szalai, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Tenacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenacious. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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