tenuous — very weak or slight; having little substance or strength
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: very weak or slight; having little substance or strength
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈten.ju.əs/
Example Sentences
- My boss's explanation for his sudden wealth was so tenuous that even his pet goldfish looked suspicious.
- The peace agreement hangs by a tenuous thread.
- Her relationship with reality became increasingly tenuous after binge-watching 47 episodes of conspiracy documentaries.
tenuous
ADJECTIVE[/ˈten.ju.əs/]
very weak or slight; having little substance or strength
The mountaineer's tenuous grip on the fraying rope decides everything.
Ten? You? Us? Too weak to hold it — tenuous!
Ingenuous efforts meet tenuous holds, despite strenuous tries
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin 'tenuis' meaning 'thin' or 'fine', derived from the verb 'tenere' (to hold or stretch). The word entered English through French influence during the Middle English period.
Breakdown
tenu- (thin, from Latin tenuis) + -ous (adjective suffix meaning 'full of' or 'characterized by') = tenuous
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My boss's explanation for his sudden wealth was so tenuous that even his pet goldfish looked suspicious.”
“The peace agreement hangs by a tenuous thread.”
“Her relationship with reality became increasingly tenuous after binge-watching 47 episodes of conspiracy documentaries.”
“The company's financial position remains tenuous despite recent improvements.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
Want to master 19,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.