tenaciously
gb/tənˈeɪʃəsli/ us/tənˈeɪʃəsli/
C1
English
kitartóan, makacsul, csökönyösen
C1
1
kitartóan
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] [does something] tenaciously
She tenaciously pursued the lead until the case was solved.
Kitartóan követte a nyomot, amíg meg nem oldódott az ügy.
The small company tenaciously defended its reputation against the rumors.
A kis cég kitartóan védte a hírnevét a pletykákkal szemben.
Even after several rejections, he kept applying tenaciously.
Learner examples
She worked tenaciously to finish the project.
Kitartóan dolgozott, hogy befejezze a projektet.
He tenaciously tried again and again.
Kitartóan próbálkozott újra meg újra.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse tenaciously (with determination) with intensely (with strong feeling) or continuously (without stopping).
Meaning
in a persistent, determined way
Collocations
work tenaciously
|pursue tenaciously
|fight tenaciously
|compete tenaciously
|campaign tenaciously
|defend tenaciously
|struggle tenaciously
|hold on tenaciously
|investigate tenaciously
|negotiate tenaciously
Synonyms
persistently (More neutral and common; less vivid than tenaciously.)
|
doggedly (Emphasizes stubborn determination, often in hard conditions.)
|
determinedly (Focuses on intention and resolve rather than endurance.)
Antonyms
halfheartedly (Without much effort or commitment.)
|
weakly (Lacking strength or resolve in action.)
|
easily (Suggests giving in or stopping without much resistance.)
Themes
work
|goals
|personality
|effort
Definition
in a way that does not give up
In a way that shows strong determination and persistence, continuing to try despite difficulties or opposition.
C1
2
makacsul
B2
Usage pattern:
[something] clings/sticks tenaciously to [something]
Wet sand clung tenaciously to her shoes.
A nedves homok makacsul tapadt a cipőjére.
The label stuck tenaciously to the glass even after soaking.
A címke még áztatás után is makacsul odaragadt az üveghez.
In dry summers, the smell of smoke can linger tenaciously in old fabrics.
Learner examples
Mud stuck tenaciously to the tires.
A sár makacsul a gumikra tapadt.
The tape held tenaciously.
A ragasztószalag nagyon erősen tartott.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse tenaciously where tightly or firmly is more natural for simple physical grip.
Meaning
in a way that clings firmly
Collocations
cling tenaciously
|stick tenaciously
|hold tenaciously
|remain tenaciously
|root tenaciously
|adhere tenaciously
|grip tenaciously
|attach tenaciously
|hang tenaciously
|bind tenaciously
Synonyms
firmly (More general and very common; less specific about difficulty of removal.)
|
stubbornly (Can describe things that won’t come off, but also suggests resistance.)
|
securely (Emphasizes safety and stable fastening.)
Antonyms
loosely (Not firmly attached; easy to remove.)
|
lightly (With little pressure or attachment.)
Themes
daily_life
|materials
|nature
Definition
in a way that is hard to remove
In a way that holds on tightly or remains firmly attached and is difficult to remove or separate.
C1
3
makacsul
B2
csökönyösen
C1
Usage pattern:
[someone] believes/holds/maintains [a view] tenaciously
He tenaciously clung to the claim even after the facts changed.
Még azután is makacsul ragaszkodott az állításához, hogy megváltoztak a tények.
Some people tenaciously resist any change to the routine.
Néhány ember makacsul ellenáll a rutin bármilyen megváltoztatásának.
She tenaciously maintained her position during the meeting.
Learner examples
He tenaciously held the same opinion.
Makacsul ragaszkodott ugyanahhoz a véleményhez.
They tenaciously resisted the plan.
Makacsul ellenálltak a tervnek.
Common mistake:
Tenaciously can be positive (persistent) or negative (stubborn) depending on context; learners may miss the negative tone.
Meaning
in a stubborn, unyielding way
Collocations
hold tenaciously to a belief
|cling tenaciously to an idea
|maintain tenaciously
|argue tenaciously
|deny tenaciously
|insist tenaciously
|oppose tenaciously
|resist tenaciously
Synonyms
stubbornly (More clearly negative and more common.)
|
obstinately (More formal and strongly negative.)
Antonyms
flexibly (Willing to adapt or change.)
|
open-mindedly (Willing to consider other ideas.)
|
readily (Willingly and without resistance.)
Themes
communication
|opinions
|conflict
Definition
in a way that will not change
In a way that refuses to change an opinion, position, or behavior, even when there are good reasons to do so.
Grammar
Dictionary form
tenaciously
IPA
GB/tənˈeɪʃəsli/
US/tənˈeɪʃəsli/
Syllables & stress
ten - a - ciously (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (a)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: tenaciously
- Plural: tenaciouslies
Expressions
cling tenaciously to
1/klˈɪŋ tənˈeɪʃəsli tə/
fixed phrase
hold firmly; refuse to let go
hold on very strongly to something
Examples
- The child clung tenaciously to her mother’s hand in the crowd.
- Some investors cling tenaciously to bad habits in volatile markets.
- Dust clung tenaciously to the screen despite wiping it.
Learner examples
- He clung tenaciously to his backpack.
- She clung tenaciously to her opinion.
defend tenaciously
1/dɪfˈɛnd tənˈeɪʃəsli/
fixed phrase
protect strongly and persistently
protect something and not give up
Examples
- The lawyer defended her client tenaciously in court.
- He defended his decision tenaciously during the review.
- The company defended its brand tenaciously against copycats.
Learner examples
- She defended her idea tenaciously.
- They defended the goal tenaciously.
fight tenaciously
1/fˈaɪt tənˈeɪʃəsli/
fixed phrase
fight with strong determination
fight with strong effort and determination
Examples
- The union fought tenaciously for safer working conditions.
- She fought tenaciously against the infection.
- The underdogs fought tenaciously but lost in the final minutes.
Learner examples
- They fought tenaciously for their rights.
- The team fought tenaciously.
hold on tenaciously
1/hˈoʊld ˈɔn tənˈeɪʃəsli/
fixed phrase
keep going; not give up
not give up; keep trying
Examples
- Despite the pain, she held on tenaciously until help arrived.
- The team held on tenaciously to a one-goal lead.
- In tough times, they held on tenaciously to hope.
Learner examples
- He held on tenaciously.
- They held on tenaciously to their lead.
pursue tenaciously
1/pɚsˈu tənˈeɪʃəsli/
fixed phrase
follow a goal persistently
keep trying hard to get something
Examples
- She pursued the scholarship tenaciously until she won it.
- They pursued new customers tenaciously throughout the year.
- He pursued a career in medicine tenaciously despite setbacks.
Learner examples
- She pursued her goal tenaciously.
- He pursued the job tenaciously.