tenuous
4 synonyms for tenuous, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Weak, flimsy, or barely holding together; lacking a solid basis.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use tenuous
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a tenuous link
tenuous evidence
a tenuous grasp
Etymology
From Latin tenuis ("thin, slight") + -ous.
Full origin of tenuous →Frequently asked questions
What does “tenuous” mean?
The word “tenuous” means weak, flimsy, or barely holding together; lacking a solid basis. In plain terms, weak and shaky — barely holding together, whether that's an argument, a connection, or a situation.
How do you pronounce “tenuous”?
“Tenuous” is pronounced TEHN-yoo-uhs (/ˈtɛn.ju.əs/ in IPA).
How do you use “tenuous” in a sentence?
Here is “tenuous” used in a sentence: “The prosecution's case rested on tenuous evidence at best.”
What part of speech is “tenuous”?
“Tenuous” is an adjective.
Where does the word “tenuous” come from?
The word “tenuous” comes from Latin. From Latin tenuis ("thin, slight") + -ous.
