tenacity

noun

te·​nac·​i·​ty tə-ˈna-sə-tē How to pronounce tenacity (audio)
: the quality or state of being tenacious
Choose the Right Synonym for tenacity

courage, mettle, spirit, resolution, tenacity mean mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger, or hardship.

courage implies firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty.

the courage to support unpopular causes

mettle suggests an ingrained capacity for meeting strain or difficulty with fortitude and resilience.

a challenge that will test your mettle

spirit also suggests a quality of temperament enabling one to hold one's own or keep up one's morale when opposed or threatened.

her spirit was unbroken by failure

resolution stresses firm determination to achieve one's ends.

the resolution of pioneer women

tenacity adds to resolution implications of stubborn persistence and unwillingness to admit defeat.

held to their beliefs with great tenacity

Examples of tenacity in a Sentence

If there is a particular tenacity in Islamist forms of terrorism today, this is a product not of Islamic scripture but of the current historical circumstance that many Muslims live in places of intense political conflict. Max Rodenbeck, New York Book Review, 30 Nov. 2006
… everything about a person, even the most blameless of facts, can have the sticky tenacity of a secret. Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2002
A tribute to tenacity, the free ascent of Trango Tower was the fulfillment of a cowboy climber's dream. Todd Skinner, National Geographic, April 1996
Recent Examples on the Web Their new album With YOU-th (out today) is all about that tenacity, and describes the support system the members have become for one another. Kristine Kwak, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2024 The Nuggets opened up a 35-20 lead in the second quarter with a refreshing dose of two-way tenacity from the bench. Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2024 This encourages a growth mindset and builds a certain tenacity that helps individuals view challenges as a stepping stone. Venkat Malladi, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024 William’s life story has stood as an enduring testament to the tenacity and resolve that have come to define the course of the Black American community in the United States. Benjamin Crump, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2024 What immediately stood out to Stroud was the tenacity with which Collins lined up. Chris Bumbaca, USA TODAY, 13 Jan. 2024 Johnson, Vai, and Satriani cannot be praised enough for their passion, virtuous musicality, and technical tenacity toward the guitar. Quentin Singer, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 Finally, extraordinary political tenacity and leadership were required – ultimately from Northern Ireland’s political leaders, but no less importantly from then-British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Ireland’s former head of government, Bertie Ahern. Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Feb. 2024 The event celebrated and acknowledged the most successful real estate agencies and brokers in Dubai, underscoring D&B Properties' tenacity and outstanding performance over the past year. William Mullane, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tenacity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tenacite, borrowed from Middle French tenacité, borrowed from Latin tenācitāt-, tenācitās, from tenāc-, tenāx "holding fast, tenacious" + -itāt- -itās -ity

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tenacity was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near tenacity

Cite this Entry

“Tenacity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tenacity. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

tenacity

noun
te·​nac·​i·​ty tə-ˈnas-ət-ē How to pronounce tenacity (audio)
: the quality or state of being tenacious
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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