tenuous

USAGE SUMMARY

"tenuous" is a correct and usable word in written English.
Generally speaking, you can use the word "tenuous" to refer to something that is very weak, delicate, or uncertain. For example, you could say "The tenuous peace between our two nations could be disrupted at any moment".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tens of thousands of people across Gaza returned to their homes on Monday as a tenuous ceasefire held and hopes rose of an end to the month-long conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The Guardian

The RA's search for echoes of Rubens even when they are very tenuous becomes quite risible.

The Guardian - Arts

Whistles has a black apron dress in store now, though its link to an actual apron is a little tenuous.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But after a few minutes, the relation between ideas becomes so vague, and the thread of your thoughts grows so tenuous, that only your cohorts... can understand you.

The Guardian - Books

The piping around which the beams of protons whizz must be maintained at a vacuum as tenuous as interplanetary space.

The Guardian - Opinion

Prior to the outbreak food security may have been gradually improving, but it remained tenuous.

The Guardian

This case is no exception - the press release was issued by the Douglas Mental Health University Institute, and unsurprisingly it focuses almost entirely on the tenuous link to Alzheimer's disease.

The Guardian

"For years, my grip on life seemed so tenuous.

The Guardian - Books

A new analysis shows that only about a quarter of their activities come from such useful activities; the rest flows from purely financial activities (ranging from developing new trading systems to new kinds of investment products) whose value to most of us is tenuous, at best.

The Guardian - Money

She only changed her mind when she realised she was set to be overruled by the caucus - which would have ended her already tenuous hold on the leadership.

The Guardian

Ultimately, he said, Putin decided against invading eastern Ukraine due to the risks involved and because the situation of the Kiev government was already tenuous.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing relationships or connections, use "tenuous" to indicate a weak or poorly supported link, enhancing the nuance of your writing and avoiding stronger terms like 'nonexistent' when some connection, however slight, exists.

Common error

Avoid using "tenuous" when describing something that is completely absent or entirely nonexistent. "Tenuous" implies a minimal but present connection or existence, not a complete void.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "tenuous" primarily functions to modify nouns, describing their state or quality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it often depicts something as weak, fragile, or poorly supported, highlighting its vulnerability or instability. Examples include "tenuous ceasefire" and "tenuous link".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tenuous" is a versatile adjective used to describe something weak, fragile, or uncertain. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. Its function is to express uncertainty or fragility, cautioning against overreliance. While it's commonly used, understanding its nuances and avoiding overstatements are crucial for effective communication. Related phrases include "flimsy", "fragile", and "shaky", each with subtle differences. Best practices involve using it to describe weak relationships or connections, while common errors include overstating the degree of weakness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flimsy

Focuses on lack of physical strength or substance, differing slightly from the broader uncertainty implied by "tenuous".

fragile

Emphasizes the ease with which something can be broken or damaged, highlighting vulnerability.

shaky

Implies instability or unreliability, focusing on a lack of firmness or security.

precarious

Suggests a state of risk or danger, highlighting the potential for collapse or failure.

uncertain

Highlights a lack of sureness or predictability, emphasizing doubt or ambiguity.

insubstantial

Focuses on the lack of material existence or importance, differing slightly from the weakness implied by "tenuous".

slight

Implies a small degree or amount, emphasizing the limited nature of something.

weak

Indicates a lack of physical or metaphorical strength, emphasizing vulnerability to external forces.

dubious

Highlights a lack of credibility or trustworthiness, emphasizing suspicion or doubt.

insecure

Focuses on a lack of confidence or stability, emphasizing vulnerability to threats or challenges.

FAQs

How can I use "tenuous" in a sentence?

You can use "tenuous" to describe something that is weak, fragile, or uncertain, such as "The ceasefire agreement is "tenuous" and could collapse at any moment."

What are some alternatives to using "tenuous"?

You can use alternatives like "fragile", "precarious", or "insubstantial" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say a link is "tenuous"?

Yes, it is correct. "Tenuous" often describes a connection or link that is weak or poorly supported. For example: "The connection between the two events is "tenuous"."

What's the difference between "tenuous" and "fragile"?

"Tenuous" implies weakness or lack of substance in a connection or situation, while "fragile" describes something easily broken or damaged. A "tenuous" argument is weak, while a fragile object is easily broken.