tenacity
English meaning: Tenacity
Definition
Tenacity is the quality of holding firmly to a purpose or course of action despite difficulty. It is closely linked to grit and resolve.
Example
“Her tenacity carried the team through a tough year.”
Another example: “Her tenacity in chasing every lead is what finally cracked the case.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Formal and approving; common in motivational, business and sporting contexts to praise dogged persistence. Often paired with 'and' in lists of virtues ('courage and tenacity'). An abstract noun with no plural in normal use.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'tenacitas', from 'tenere', meaning to hold.
Synonyms
- persistence
- determination
- grit
- resolve
- doggedness
- tenaciousness
- perseverence
- pertinacity
- persistency
Antonyms / Opposites
- irresolution
- apathy
Related Words
- perseverance
- ingenuity
- stamina
- bulldog
- cleavage
- courage
- terrier
- determination
- tackling
- patience
- bravery
- fracture
Common Collocations
- sheer tenacity
- grit and tenacity
- show tenacity
- tenacity and determination
- admire someone's tenacity
Word Forms
tenacity (n); tenacious (adj); tenaciously (adv)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B