tenacity

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'tenacity' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person's determination and persistence. For example, "Her tenacity and determination to succeed have allowed her to conquer every challenge that comes her way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Doing both things at the same time is a real challenge that requires a huge amount of drive, energy and tenacity.

The Guardian

To find out what it's really about requires the tenacity of Jeremy Paxman crossed with a petulant toddler.

The Guardian

But it's those aspects of his personality that have got him into the most trouble - his tenacity, his moral certitude, his swaggering insouciance - that have seen him through, seen him survive mad Madchester, prison, and all the rest - and emerge compos mentis.

The Guardian - Music

Even now, that tenacity is not to be underestimated.

The Guardian - Opinion

I pay tribute to Julia Gillard for having the foresight, courage and tenacity to drive these reforms, that will give thousands of young Australians a better future.

The Guardian

After a bit of shadow boxing in which they and Osborne bragged about their credentials to do the job – tenacity (Darling), energy (Osborne), getting it right (Cable) – the debate quickly turned to the shadow chancellor's planned cut in national insurance contributions.

The Guardian

That she showed up at all, and so brilliantly, is a testimony to the tenacity of every woman on the show in those early days.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Boehner's tenacity owes far more to the institutional structures of the modern Republican party than it does to the clownishness of his would-be deposers, even though it is incredibly tempting to chalk it up to that alone.

The Guardian - Opinion

You should build a structured appreciation culture that maps closely to your company values, rewarding things such as growth ideas, tenacity or sales.

The Guardian

Sound familiar?" Warming to her theme, Palin adds: "This movie shows us exactly where we're headed if we don't inject into our culture a little courage, tenacity and rebellion against a government all too eager to take away our freedom.

The Guardian - Film

As Ronnie Kasrils wrote of the post-apartheid era, "optimism overlooked the tenacity of the international capitalist system".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tenacity" to describe sustained effort in overcoming significant obstacles. It highlights the strength of character required to persist through challenges.

Common error

Avoid using "tenacity" to describe simple persistence or routine tasks. "Tenacity" implies a struggle against considerable adversity, not just continuous effort.

Linguistic Context

"Tenacity" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the quality of being tenacious, or the persistence of purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe a strong will and determination. It can be a quality or a state of mind.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

14%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tenacity" is a noun describing the quality of being tenacious, or persistent. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and highlights its usage in praising determination. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. Related terms include "persistence of purpose" and "unwavering resolve". When using "tenacity", ensure it reflects a struggle against adversity, and avoid overuse in simple or routine contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

persistence of purpose

Focuses more on the intention behind the perseverance, highlighting a clear goal.

unwavering resolve

Emphasizes the firmness and lack of hesitation in the determination.

dogged determination

Implies a stubborn and relentless pursuit, sometimes despite obstacles.

grit and resilience

Combines toughness and the ability to recover quickly from difficulties.

iron will

Suggests an extremely strong and unyielding determination.

unyielding spirit

Highlights the indomitable nature of one's attitude and mindset.

resolute nature

Emphasizes firmness in decision-making and action.

strong-mindedness

Focuses on the strength of one's convictions and opinions.

indomitable will

Highlights an insurmountable and unconquerable strength of purpose.

steadfastness

Emphasizes the unwavering and reliable nature of one's commitment.

FAQs

How to use "tenacity" in a sentence?

You can use "tenacity" to describe someone's persistent determination, as in "Her tenacity helped her overcome many obstacles".

What can I say instead of "tenacity"?

You can use alternatives like "persistence", "perseverance", or "determination" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "tenacity" or "tenaciousness"?

"Tenacity" and "tenaciousness" are synonymous, both referring to the quality of being tenacious. The choice between them often depends on stylistic preference.

What's the difference between "tenacity" and "stubbornness"?

"Tenacity" implies a positive persistence towards a goal, while "stubbornness" suggests a negative, inflexible resistance to change, even when it's not beneficial.