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tenaciousholding firmly to something; not easily discouraged or giving up

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: holding firmly to something; not easily discouraged or giving up

Pronunciation (IPA): /təˈneɪʃəs/

Example Sentences

  • My grandmother is so tenacious that she spent 20 years trying to open a pickle jar.
  • The tenacious student asked the same question 47 times until the professor finally answered it properly.
  • Her tenacious research efforts finally led to a breakthrough in cancer treatment.

tenacious

ADJECTIVE

[/təˈneɪʃəs/]

holding firmly to something; not easily discouraged or giving up

A small, vibrant plant clings with tenacious roots to a craggy, weather-beaten coastal rock face.
💡 Concept

A small, vibrant plant clings with tenacious roots to a craggy, weather-beaten coastal rock face.

Ten people shush, but he won't let go - tenacious!
🧠 Mnemonic

Ten people shush, but he won't let go - tenacious!

"Be tenacious, not audacious — steady wins the race that's spacious."
🎵 Rhyme

"Be tenacious, not audacious — steady wins the race that's spacious."

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/təˈneɪʃəs/
🇬🇧 UK/təˈneɪʃəs/

🌳Etymology

Rootten-
Suffix--acious

Origin

From Latin tenax meaning 'holding fast' or 'sticky,' derived from tenere meaning 'to hold.' The suffix -ious means 'having the quality of,' forming an adjective.

Breakdown

ten- (hold, from Latin tenere) + -acious (having the quality of being) = tenacious (holding firmly to something)

🎵Rhyme

spaciousgraciousaudacious
spacious
gracious
audacious

🔗Collocations

tenacious grip
tenacious pursuit
tenacious determination
tenacious memory
tenacious defender
remain tenacious
tenacious attitude

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My grandmother is so tenacious that she spent 20 years trying to open a pickle jar.

😄 Fun example

The tenacious student asked the same question 47 times until the professor finally answered it properly.

Her tenacious research efforts finally led to a breakthrough in cancer treatment.

The tenacious lawyer never gave up on proving his client's innocence.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

persistentdeterminedstubbornrelentlessdogged

Antonyms

yieldingflexiblegiving up

Related

tenacityretentionmaintaincontain

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