tenacity
tuh-NAS-ih-tee
Tenacity (noun) means the quality of refusing to give up; determined persistence. Example: “It took real tenacity to finish the marathon after the injury.”
noun
1
The quality of refusing to give up; determined persistence.
"It took real tenacity to finish the marathon after the injury."
How to use tenacity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishStubborn persistence — sticking with something no matter how hard it gets.
Common pairings
show tenacity
sheer tenacity
tenacity and determination
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Word forms
- Plural
- tenacities
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It took real _____ to finish the marathon after the injury.
Etymology
From tenacious + -ity, ultimately from Latin tenacitas.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for tenacity
See all rhymes for tenacity →Frequently asked questions
What does “tenacity” mean?
The word “tenacity” means the quality of refusing to give up; determined persistence. In plain terms, stubborn persistence — sticking with something no matter how hard it gets.
How do you pronounce “tenacity”?
“Tenacity” is pronounced tuh-NAS-ih-tee (/təˈnæsəti/ in IPA).
How do you use “tenacity” in a sentence?
Here is “tenacity” used in a sentence: “It took real tenacity to finish the marathon after the injury.”
What is another word for “tenacity”?
Words with a similar meaning to “tenacity” include cohesiveness.
What is the opposite of “tenacity”?
The opposite of “tenacity” — its antonyms — are brittleness, fragility and mobility.
What part of speech is “tenacity”?
“Tenacity” is a noun.
Where does the word “tenacity” come from?
The word “tenacity” comes from Latin. From tenacious + -ity, ultimately from Latin tenacitas.
Is “tenacity” a common word?
“Tenacity” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
