C2adjectivepsychology
US/təˈneɪ.ʃəs/
UK/tɪˈneɪ.ʃəs/
refusing to give up or let go, even when something is difficult
In context
A tenacious reporter spent three years uncovering corruption at the hospital.
The tenacious grandmother kept her noodle stall open through floods and the pandemic.
Old habits can be surprisingly tenacious, even when we really want to change.
Words that go with tenacious
adjective + preposition
- tenacious inShe was tenacious in her search for her birth mother.
adjective + noun
- tenacious gripThe disease kept a tenacious grip on the region for years.
- tenacious spiritThe film celebrates the tenacious spirit of small farmers.
- tenacious defenseThe team's tenacious defense kept the score at zero until the final minute.
- tenacious fighterDoctors called the little girl a tenacious fighter after her recovery.
adverb + adjective
- remarkably tenaciousSome bacteria are remarkably tenacious and survive strong cleaning products.