Definitions

tenacity

[tuh-nas-i-tee] / təˈnæs ɪ ti /

NOUN

diligence, stubbornness

Synonyms

STRONGEST

chutzpah courage determination firmness grit guts perseverance persistence spunk steadfastness

STRONG

application backbone clock doggedness follow-through gutsiness heart inflexibility intransigence moxie nerve obduracy obstinacy pertinacity resoluteness resolution resolve starch staunchness stomach willfulness

WEAK

guttiness intestinal fortitude stick-to-itiveness strength of purpose true grit what it takes

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cowardice fear idleness indolence timidity weakness

STRONG

indecision question

WEAK

indifference irresolution slackness

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This week, Tenacity founder and general partner Ben Narasin on the IPO boom.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

“Live by two words: tenacity and gratitude. Tenacity will get you where you want to go, and gratitude will make you enjoy the journey, no matter how bumpy.”

From Salon • May 16, 2026

Tenacity runs deep in some of the world’s most isolated nations.

From BBC • Sep. 8, 2024

After enduring another injury-plagued season, Phinisee used the offseason strengthening his mind by reading books such as “Intentional Mindset: Developing Mental Tenacity and a Killer Instinct” and using Calm routinely.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 8, 2021

But it decreases not the Resistance of Water considerably, as it would do if any considerable part of the Resistance of Water arose from the Attrition or Tenacity of its Parts.

From Opticks or, a Treatise of the Reflections, Refractions, Inflections, and Colours of Light by Newton, Isaac, Sir

Vocabulary lists containing tenacity

100 SAT Words Beginning with "T"

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The Bluest Eye

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The Help

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