tenacious
Pronunciation: teh-NAY-shus
adjective
Definition of tenacious
Tending to keep a firm hold of something; persistent
Synonyms for tenacious
- persistent
- determined
- resolute
tenacious in a Sentence
- The tenacious reporter spent years investigating the corruption scandal.
Why tenacious Matters for GRE & SAT
"tenacious" is a adjective that means "Tending to keep a firm hold of something; persistent" closely related to words like "persistent", "determined", "resolute". As a word starting with T, it belongs to a cluster of GRE and SAT vocabulary that test-takers often encounter in Verbal Reasoning, Text Completion, and Reading Comprehension sections.
On the GRE, understanding "tenacious" helps you distinguish between closely related answer choices in Sentence Equivalence questions. On the SAT, recognizing this word in context strengthens your performance on Craft & Structure and Words in Context questions. Seeing how "tenacious" is used in sentences — like the examples above — builds the contextual understanding that standardized tests reward.
Study tip: Start with the definition and part of speech (adjective). Then learn its 3 synonyms to build a word network. Finally, practice with spaced repetition to move "tenacious" into long-term memory.
How to Remember tenacious
One effective way to remember "tenacious" (adjective) is to group it with similar words you already know: "persistent" and "determined" and "resolute". When you encounter "tenacious" on a test, these synonym connections help you quickly recall its meaning — "Tending to keep a firm hold of something; persistent".
Use flashcard apps with spaced repetition to review "tenacious" at increasing intervals until it becomes automatic.
More Vocabulary Words Starting with T
- tacit — implied without being directly expressed
- tacit — Understood or implied without being stated
- taciturn — of few words; speaking little
- tact — skill in handling difficult situations without causing offense
- tangential — only superficially relevant
- tangible — Clear and definite; real; able to be touched
- tangible — capable of being touched; real or actual
- tantalizing — arousing desire or interest without fulfillment
- tantamount — equivalent in effect or value
- target — An objective or result toward which efforts are directed