Tenacious
mediumPositive tonetuh-NAY-shus
adjective
Definition
Tending to keep a firm hold; persistent and determined
Memory hook
TEN-ACIOUS: Holding on with all TEN fingers -- persistent and won't let go.
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“Her tenacious pursuit of justice finally paid off.”
“The tenacious athlete refused to give up despite injuries.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“Her ______ pursuit of justice finally paid off.”
Show answer
tenacious
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Tenacious is a medium-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "persistent" or "determined" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "irresolute".
Related GRE Words
pertinacious
Holding firmly to an opinion or course of action; persistent
dogged
Having or showing tenacity and persistence
persevering
Continuing in a course of action despite difficulty or opposition
adamant
Refusing to be persuaded or to change one's mind; unyielding
resolute
Admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering
steadfast
Resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering
Master tenacious and 1,000+ GRE words
Learn through stories, practice with real GRE questions, and never forget with spaced repetition.